Château Quilex Côtes du Rhône-Villages Gadagne 2018

Not Châteauneuf du Pape, but Châteauneuf de Gadagne. As Decanter says, their “similarity and shared origins are so striking”. The vineyards could be carbon copies – gnarled old bush vines grown among giant rolled pebbles. Both towns are ancient, but Gadagne is the older, dating back to 1150. So locals believe their wines should have the name Châteauneuf on the label: Châteauneuf de Gadagne. They went to court, but Chateauneuf du Pape big boys won. That doesn’t stop Gadagne making great wines, however, described by Decanter as “wines of powerful personality with a force, an energy, an intensity”. Still, with Côtes du Rhône Villages on the label, they are very well priced. Enjoy this lavish red with rich casseroles and great company.