Domaine Martin Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2017

For rich, ripe, mouthfilling Rhône Villages that’s well priced, head for the Plan de Dieu vineyards in the south. The area is strewn with the same pebbles that you’ll find in Châteauneuf du Pape and that help achieve super ripeness by absorbing heat in daytime and radiating it at night. Resulting in some of the most attractive, warm fruited (and affordable) wines you’re likely to find anywhere. This wine is from a small estate that’s been in the Martin family for over a century. Julien Martin bought the original five hectares of vines and his son Jules expanded the property and built a winery. Today great grandsons David and Eric are in charge. Rich, ripe and fruity, this 2017 deserves its Gold medal. Try with sausages or a veggie lasagne.