Tesco, Finest, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France, 2020

No one would call Châteauneuf a light wine, and indeed this one has fairly punchy alcohol and is best enjoyed with robust meat dishes. However, this example is vinified and aged in concrete tanks as opposed to oak barrel, and this gives it a fresher and more lifted character than many wines from the region - especially the wines labelled 'Prestige', which often seems to be shorthand for 'really oaky'. The lack of oak in this wine also helps keep the price down to a reasonable level. It still has good Châteauneuf typicity though, with forest fruit and spice, and a twist of white pepper. Juicy and approachable.