Luscious Ctes du Rhne from 100-year-old Grenache vines right on the Chteauneuf-du-Pape boundary Domaine Les Cassanets is something of a coup for us. Launched to great acclaim with the medal winning 2009, it has won a Gold medal nearly every vintage since. Labelled humble Ctes du Rhne, the domaine is in fact within Chteauneuf du Pape but century old politics prevent it from being upgraded. The domaines famous Chteauneuf neighbours are Chteaux de Beaucastel and Rayas, and 100 Parker point Clos du Caillou. Same grapes, same terroir same style of wine. And winemaker Thierry Ferlay lavishes the same attention on Cassanets as on his award-winning Chteauneuf. From a century old family estate, it is big, rich and spicy the only giveaway that this isnt Chteauneuf is the price. Decant and serve with roast lamb, game or cassoulet.