Domaine Brusset, Cairanne 2020 'Sans Sulfites Ajoutes'

Firmer than the other regular Cairanne, Les Travers, with some solid, spicy black fruit character. The lack of added sulphite really brings the fruit to the fore. A classic Cairanne with powerful fruit. A great wine for barbecue?

Interestingly, the back label does state that the wine contains sulphites, presumably in the same way food products often state "May contain nuts". The point is there is no added sulphite.

Drinking Dates: 2022 to 2028

Cépagement: 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah (80 year old vines, 28 hl/ha)

Upbringing: 100 % hand-picked and selected. Destalking, no yeast-added, cold pre-fermentation during 3 weeks with daily "pigeage" and temperatures maintained at 31°C. Matured 60% in vats, 40% in two years old oak casks "demi-muids" for a year. No filtering.

ABV: 14%

Critic Reviews: Not the sort of wine critics look at - to the benefit of consumers!

Food: Full, rich food - especially roast pork, grilled meats etc.