Château De La Gardine, Brunel De La Gardine Côtes Du Rhône, 2024
Château De La Gardine, Brunel De La Gardine Côtes Du Rhône, 2024
- Red Still
- 75.0cl
- 14.0%
- Organic
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Brunel de La Gardine is Château de La Gardine's entry point into the southern Rhône, and it earns its place at the table. Made from the classic GSM trio — Grenache leading, Syrah and Mourvèdre in support — this is a Côtes du Rhône built for pleasure rather than patience. Ripe red fruit, wild herbs, and a distinctive southern-French pepperiness make it immediately appealing, with just enough structure to make it interesting alongside food.
The 2024 vintage in the southern Rhône delivered freshness and good natural acidity — a welcome contrast to some of the richer, more alcoholic recent years. We'd be opening this now without a second thought: a bottle for a Tuesday supper that punches well above its price.
- ❖ ABV: 14.0%
Grapes
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Vintage report
The 2024 growing season in the Southern Rhône was marked by an unusually wet spring, which built good water reserves but also kept growers busy managing disease pressure — mildew in particular was a real headache across the region. Summer brought the heat the south is known for, though without the brutal, desiccating extremes that have plagued recent vintages. That more measured warmth, combined with a dry, well-timed harvest window, allowed growers who had done the hard work in the vineyard to pick fruit with excellent natural balance between ripeness and freshness.
The result is a vintage of genuine charm — Grenache, the engine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas alike, produced wines with real fruit concentration and enough acidity to give them shape and lift rather than the jammy weight that warmer years can bring. Mourvèdre added structure where yields were kept sensible. It is early days, and the very best wines will reward patience, but there is plenty here that is already drinking well — approachable without being simple, which is exactly what you want from a good Southern Rhône year.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceBright medium ruby with a lively, youthful rim.
NoseFresh and inviting, with red cherry and ripe strawberry at the fore, backed by dried thyme, lavender, and that characteristic southern Rhône garrigue warmth. A light dusting of white pepper from the Syrah adds energy.
PalateThe 2024 freshness shows clearly here — medium-bodied, with bright acidity keeping everything lively rather than jammy. Juicy red fruit sits alongside herby, savoury notes, and soft, rounded tannins that make this easy company from the first pour.
FinishClean and pleasantly peppery, with herb and fruit fading at about the same pace — short to medium length, as expected for the style.
Overall impressionA straightforward, honest Côtes du Rhône that does exactly what it promises and doesn't try to be anything else.
Food Pairings
In the southern Rhône, a wine like this is the default companion to everyday cooking rather than a special-occasion choice. Grilled lamb chops rubbed with herbes de Provence are the obvious match — the wine's garrigue character mirrors the herbs on the plate. A daube of beef slow-cooked with olives and orange zest is another natural pairing, as is a generous platter of charcuterie: saucisson sec, pâté, and a good sharp knife. Locally, you'd also find this alongside a pan bagnat or a tapenade-loaded bruschetta at lunch without a second thought.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at around 15-16°C — cool enough to keep the fruit lively, not so cold it suppresses the herb and pepper character. No need to decant; this is a pour-and-enjoy wine. A standard Bordeaux-style glass works well, though a slightly wider bowl will let the fruit open up a touch more generously.
The Côtes du Rhône vineyards associated with La Gardine sit in the broader southern Rhône basin, where soils shift between sandy clays, limestone, and the famous galets roulés — smooth, heat-retaining river stones. The climate is emphatically Mediterranean: hot, dry summers tempered by the Mistral wind, which keeps disease pressure low and concentrates the fruit naturally. These conditions produce Grenache of considerable ripeness and character even at the appellation's more modest level.
Côtes du Rhône is the southern Rhône's workhorse appellation, covering a vast area across multiple départements, with Grenache as the dominant grape and Syrah, Mourvèdre, and others permitted in support. It sits a rung below Côtes du Rhône Villages and well below the crus like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but the best examples — particularly from estates with serious pedigree elsewhere — offer remarkable value. The appellation's sheer size means quality varies enormously, which is why knowing the producer matters as much as anything on the label.
The 2024 growing season in the Southern Rhône was marked by an unusually wet spring, which built good water reserves but also kept growers busy managing disease pressure — mildew in particular was a real headache across the region. Summer brought the heat the south is known for, though without the brutal, desiccating extremes that have plagued recent vintages. That more measured warmth, combined with a dry, well-timed harvest window, allowed growers who had done the hard work in the vineyard to pick fruit with excellent natural balance between ripeness and freshness.
The result is a vintage of genuine charm — Grenache, the engine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas alike, produced wines with real fruit concentration and enough acidity to give them shape and lift rather than the jammy weight that warmer years can bring. Mourvèdre added structure where yields were kept sensible. It is early days, and the very best wines will reward patience, but there is plenty here that is already drinking well — approachable without being simple, which is exactly what you want from a good Southern Rhône year.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Juicy and herb-scented, with red cherry, strawberry, dried thyme, and a peppery kick from the Syrah. It is medium-bodied and fresh rather than rich or heavy — a very easy, satisfying drink.
When should I drink it?
Now, without hesitation. The 2024 vintage is fresh and lively, and this style of Côtes du Rhône is made to be enjoyed young. We would not hold it beyond 2029.
What food works well with it?
Grilled lamb, herby sausages, charcuterie, or anything with a Provençal accent — olives, tapenade, ratatouille. It is also flexible enough for a good burger or a simple roast chicken.
Should I decant it?
No need. Open the bottle, pour, and enjoy. This is not a wine that requires or particularly benefits from decanting.
Is it worth buying in quantity?
For laying down, no — but if you enjoy it regularly with weeknight meals, buying a case makes a lot of sense. The price-to-pleasure ratio is genuinely strong for a wine from a pedigreed Châteauneuf estate.
How does it compare to La Gardine's Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Think of it as the estate's everyday wine versus its grand statement. The Châteauneuf is deeper, more structured, and built to age; Brunel de La Gardine shares some of the same southern-Rhône DNA but is lighter, fresher, and far more immediate. Different bottles for different moments.
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