Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2024

Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone Rouge takes its name from the 45th parallel that runs almost past the cellar door in Pont-de-l'Isère, and it's been the house's flagship Côtes du Rhône since 1950. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Marselan and Carignan from 40-year-old vines, it leans into brandied cherry, blackcurrant and a savoury edge of black olive, with warm, sun-baked stone notes and a dusting of spice. Moderate acidity keeps things lively, while the tannins carry a faint iron-like grip rather than anything heavy-handed. It's built for the table rather than the cellar - pour it alongside charcuterie or a proper grilled steak and it does exactly what it's meant to.

What the winery says:

Parallèle 45 comes from 40-year-old vines grown on clayey limestone soils with alluvial, pebble-strewn deposits in the Côtes du Rhône appellation. The blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Marselan and Carignan is hand-picked at maturity; the secondary varieties are co-fermented with the Grenache to help fix colour and tannin, while the Syrah is vinified separately with a gentler, three-week maceration. The wine is aged for six months in stainless steel and truncated cone-shaped vats on fine lees before bottling. Jaboulet describes the style as fruity and generous, lifted by delicate spice, and finishing fresh - best served around 16 to 18°C alongside charcuterie, grilled meats or a good moussaka.