St Francois Xavier Cotes du Rhone 2025

St Francois Xavier Cotes du Rhone is a generous Southern Rhône red with ripe cherry and darker berry fruit, savoury herbs, gentle spice and a smooth, warming finish. Grenache leads the blend, bringing plush fruit and approachability, while Syrah adds colour and structure. Made by Jean-François Gras at his family domaine near Gigondas, this has more depth than you might expect from a straightforward Côtes du Rhône, yet remains relaxed enough for a midweek dinner. A fine match for grilled lamb, beef sausages, roast vegetables or a slow-cooked tomato and herb stew.

What the winery says:

The fruit is grown on clay and limestone soils formed from ancient alluvial deposits, including the red clay typical of the area around Gigondas. The blend is based on 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Traditional vinification takes place in concrete vats over approximately 30 days, with pump-overs and punching down used during fermentation. The wine is then matured for eight months in concrete tanks, preserving its ripe fruit, spice and regional character without adding overt oak flavour.