Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2024 is the estate's historic Tradition cuvee, a blend made since the 17th century. Garrigue, wild herbs and red berries open on the nose, with ripe currants and a touch of spice. The palate is round and balanced with a lovely sweetness, flavors of cocoa and morello cherry, fine ripe tannins, and a long, smooth finish of licorice.

Food pairings: slow cooked lamb, slow cooked beef braised in red wine, vegetables, and olives (pictured above), grilled prime rib, duck breast, mushroom or truffle risotto, and hard, aged cheeses

The blend: 60% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault and 5% Counoise, from the estate's vines on sandy soils and rounded river stones. The sand brings finesse and elegance, and the stones bring power and structure.

In the cellar: the grapes are hand-harvested and sorted twice, then fermented with native yeasts. The wine ages 15 months, 10% in once-used barrels and 90% in vat, and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. The vineyards are certified organic and Demeter biodynamic.

The winery: Domaine de la Solitude is one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's oldest family estates, with roots going back to the 15th century. After Matteo Barberini became Pope Urban VIII, his family later married into the estate. In the 18th century the estate was among the first to sell its wine in bottle, shipping 'Vin de la Solitude' as far as England. Today Florent Lancon, the eighth generation, runs 37 hectares of vines.

Serving: serve at 60 to 62 degrees F. Lovely now with oven-roasted lamb shoulder, and in five years or more it pairs with daube Provencale, game and cheeses. It drinks well for up to 15 years from the vintage.