Les Vignerons de Villedieu Hautes de la Baude Grenache Syrah 2011 Côtes du Rhône Villages, Rhône, France 75cl

Les Vignerons de Villedieu is a growers’ co-operative in the village of Villedieu in the Vaucluse, in the warm Southern Rhone near Vaison-la-Romaine. Founded in 1939, it draws together many local growers, and its Hautes de la Baude range takes its name from the chateau de La Baude that watches over the village.

This is a traditional Southern Rhone blend of Grenache and Syrah, the pairing that gives the region its generous, sun-filled reds. Grenache brings ripe red fruit and warmth, while Syrah adds colour, spice and backbone. Grown in the stony soils of the Cotes du Rhone Villages, it is built for the table rather than the cellar shelf. The Villages tier sits a step above straight Cotes du Rhone, drawn from better sites and made to tighter rules, which shows in the wine’s extra concentration and grip.

This is the 2011 vintage, and with well over a decade in bottle it has moved into its mature phase. Time has softened the tannins and drawn out savoury, tertiary character, so this is a wine to enjoy for its mellow complexity now rather than to keep.

Expect aromas of dried cherry, plum, leather and the wild herb scent the French call garrigue, with a touch of black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied and rounded, its edges smoothed by age, finishing warm and savoury. Decant before serving.

This is a comforting, food-friendly Rhone red for cooler evenings. It comes into its own with slow-cooked stews, roast lamb, sausages and mature cheeses, the kind of rustic, hearty cooking the Southern Rhone was made for.