2021 Frederic & Daniel Brunier Piedlong Châteauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone

From a sandy, elevated parcel on the edge of Châteauneuf du Pape, Piedlong consistently delivers a more refined, aromatic expression of Grenache, and the Brunier brothers handle it with a beautifully light touch. Frédéric and Daniel, best known for Vieux Télégraphe, have long recognised how these lighter soils can produce wines of finesse and detail rather than sheer weight.

The 2021 vintage leans into that elegance. Aromatics are lifted and finely etched, red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, with a delicate floral note of rose petal and a hint of violet. There is a savoury thread running through it, dried herbs, thyme and a touch of pepper, alongside a subtle earthy nuance that adds depth without heaviness.

On the palate it is medium bodied and beautifully balanced, with silky tannins and a line of fresh acidity that gives the wine real energy. The fruit feels precise and flowing, moving into more savoury, herbal notes with a faint mineral edge on the finish. It is a more delicate, finely tuned take on Châteauneuf du Pape, but one that carries impressive persistence.

Winemaking is traditional and restrained, allowing the vineyard to speak clearly, with oak playing a supporting role to build texture rather than dominate.

This is where you can really have some fun. Think duck and five spice pancakes, lamb kofte with pomegranate molasses, or charred squid with smoked paprika. It also works brilliantly with something like a tomato and saffron rice dish, or even a slow cooked pork and fennel ragu. For vegetarian options, go for a roasted carrot and harissa salad, mushroom shawarma wraps, or a smoky aubergine and lentil stew, the wine’s spice and herbal notes slot straight into those flavours.

Already approachable with a bit of air, it will continue to evolve over the next eight to ten years, gaining more spice, earth and complexity while holding its graceful structure.