Château La Courançonne Rasteau 2021

Rasteau within the larger appellation that is Côtes du Rhône Villages makes full and beneficial use of grenache as the glue to which syrah and mourvèdre adhere for not just seamless but punch above weight red blends. As the crow flies Châteauneuf-du-Pape is but a mere 24 kms away and there are times when a Rasteau can mimic, albeit softly, the wines of that most famous Rhône appellation. Like here, with some fantasy involved, but nevertheless this is a fine local example. Don’t put it away in the cellar for too long however. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted May 2023. Score – 90. (Michael Godel, winealign.com)