2024 Frederic & Daniel Brunier Megaphone Ventoux Rouge, Southern Rhone

Ventoux sits in the shadow of Mont Ventoux where altitude and cooler nights bring a fresher, more vibrant edge to southern Rhône blends, and Megaphone is all about turning up that energy. From the Brunier family of Vieux Télégraphe, this wine is their more playful, early drinking expression, but it still carries the same attention to site and balance.

The 2024 release is bright and expressive from the outset. Red cherry, raspberry and juicy plum lead the way, with a lift of violet and a touch of cracked pepper. There is a gentle thread of garrigue running through it, thyme, rosemary and a hint of earth, giving it that unmistakable Rhône character without weighing it down.

On the palate it is medium bodied with a soft, flowing texture. Tannins are fine and approachable, and there is a line of freshness that keeps the fruit lively and moreish. Flavours stay in that juicy red berry spectrum before drifting into a lightly savoury, herbal finish with a subtle spice kick.

Winemaking is handled with a light touch, aiming to preserve fruit purity and drinkability rather than structure, making this a wine that is all about immediacy and charm.

This is where it really comes alive. Try it with lamb kofta straight off the grill, chorizo and chickpea stew, or a wood fired pizza with nduja and honey. It also works brilliantly with smoky, spice driven vegetarian dishes, think charred corn with chilli butter, eggplant schnitzel with tomato kasundi, or a Moroccan style carrot and lentil tagine, the wine’s juicy fruit and herbs latch straight onto those flavours.

Give it a slight chill and it becomes even more addictive, perfect for relaxed drinking while still carrying a proper Rhône personality.