Château Grand Escalion, Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, 2016

This elegantly labelled wine from the Gabriel Meffre-owned property in Costières de Nîmes draws on the best 4.5ha parcel on the estate. The Syrah here is blended with 15% Mourvèdre and 5% each of Grenache and Carignan. It’s dark black-red in colour, with sweet, fresh scents full of the citrus garden charm so typical of Syrah grown close to the Mediterranean. The palate is soft, deep, generous and spicy, with light tannin presence and sustaining acidity: energetic and attractive.