	Description:	This Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 2011 Grande Reserve pours a deep red, and has a loud aroma of blackcurrant, spice and vine stems. In the mouth the flavours develop, adding oak and leather with a hint of pepper coming out of the spice and an edge of granite at the finish. Even at the high abv. of 14.5%, there is none of the alcohol heat in the finish, just long lingering fruit flavours, making this easy to drink with food or on its own. The 2011 year has none of the opulence and volume of 2010 but it is still a really good wine that can be enjoyed on its own, as well as with a nice English Lamb meal. It is a bargain at its current price. This Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 2011 Grande Reserve is also a good match for salads with vinaigrette or mayonnaise on them. Not sure why, but it just seems to work. The term “Villages” indicates that the wine has come from specific quality villages and is not a blend from multiple regions. The label is also very distinctive – very much a Moulin Rouge look.
	Region:	France, Côtes du Rhône
	Grapes:	Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
	Price:	£6.99
	ABV:	14.5%
	Closure:	Plastic Cork with foil cover
	Source:	Waitrose
	Occasion:	Red Meat especially Lamb, Vinaigrette Salads, on its own
	From:

Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 2011 Grande Reserve