2018 Cellier des Dauphins Cotes du Rhone Reserve Grenache-Syrah

80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. The producers are thrilled that this wine won a Platinum Award at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019, 'the first of the new wines made by the new chief winemaker Laurent Paré'. 15-day maceration. Rich, sweet (RS 2.87 g/l) with no rough edges. It's fine, and friendlier than some of its peers but lacks a little grunt and depth. Though if they can produce this quality at this price then retailers should take note. (JR)