This winery has been in the Brunel family for generations. The winemaking tradition began in the 17th century when Gaston Brunel acquired the Château de la Gardine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1945. Today, the estate is run by his two sons, Patrick and Maxime, who work with great passion and dedication in their 52 hectares of vineyards. The estate is renowned for the quality of its wines and for its unique Gardine bottle. Today, approximately 70 percent of the production is exported to around 30 countries.
The vineyards for this wine, Cairanne Rouge, are located in the northern Vaucluse region, between the Aygues and Ouvèze rivers. After harvest, the Grenache and Syrah grapes are crushed and fermented. Fermentation lasts approximately 10 to 25 days and is followed by aging in oak barrels. A Cairanne that can hold its own against Châteauneuf du Pape.
In the glass, the Gardine Brunel Cairanne has a garnet-red color. Syrah dominates the nose, with notes of dried plums, licorice, and leather. The spicy aroma typical of the region's "garrigues" is also evident. On the palate, the wine is velvety smooth with ripe, fine tannins and ripe dark fruit, which maintains its tension right through to the finish. Like many red wines, this wine should not be enjoyed too hot. 14-16°C is ideal. It pairs well with grilled vegetables. It also pairs well with chicken stuffed with tomato, mozzarella, and black olives.
