Today I’ll be reviewing a 2013 Les Clefs Croiseés Chateauneuf-du-Pape for the Central England Co-operative We Like Wine Blog. This wine costs £15.99 and is distributed by the Co-Op, so it’s the only place you’ll be able to get this wine. It has become apparent to me with the more wine reviews I do, how much of a difference in quality you can expect when spending over £10 a bottle. This wine is no exception.
The Chateauneuf-du-Pape gives off a really rich aroma with an intense, rich-bodied smell – almost sweet smelling. However, surprisingly, it doesn’t actually taste too strong or heavy. It does taste mildly sweet but by no means does it overpower.
Yes, it is an easy-drinker for the reasons mentioned above which lead onto a nice, light delivery too. This dark wine does have subtle notes of blackberry, but I struggled to taste the cherry flavours mentioned on the label.
I feel the wine would go perfectly with foods such as antipasti, thin stone-based pizza, or foods garnished with fresh basil. Because of its lightness, you can also enjoy heavier foods with it - red meat being the first thing that comes to mind. I rarely drink red wine during the Summer, but this is one to add to my list of few reds I’ll drink on a Summers evening, which makes it quiet a refreshing change.
To summarise, this Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an elegant and understated red that doesn’t scream for your attention with every mouthful you take. At £15.99 I feel it’s great quality because it delivers a similar standard to red wines I’ve previously reviewed in the £20 price bracket. The wine has a 13.5% alcohol content which is reasonably standard. Thanks France for another fine bottle of red and for even putting it in a nice, classy bottle!
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