Domaine du Galet des Papes “Le Petit Galet” Côtes-du-Rhône 2024. New vintage.
I was introduced to the Domaine du Galet des Papes range when I met with 6th generation owner Blandine Mayard in France in February and was completely gobsmacked by the quality. They have 13 hectares of absolutely prime Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard of which a tiny sandy part is classified as “Côtes-du-Rhône” but the quality remains sky-high and it’s aged in oak vats for the full-frontal taste experience.
Region: Côtes-du-Rhône, France
Grape Variety: 80% Grenache, 10% each of Shiraz and Mourvèdre.
Alcohol Content: 15.0% ABV
Maturation: Aged for 6 months in an oak vat.
A heady burst of rose petal and cherry jam leaps from the glass, but it’s the spicy edge—pepper, clove, and star anise—that defines this wine’s aromatic signature in the cooler 2024 vintage. The fruit is vivid and concentrated, yet the extraction is dialled back for immediate, drink-now pleasure. The palate is full-bodied and supple, with layers of spice weaving through the richness, adding tension and complexity. It’s lush, thrillingly hedonistic, and charged with spice-driven energy that carries effortlessly through the finish.
This easy-drinking yet hedonistic and structured red is perfect with Mediterranean fare—think grilled sausages, ratatouille, or roast pork with rosemary.
Drink now to 2030+
15% ABV