COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2023
GRAPE
Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Terret Noir
PRODUCER
Domaine Font de Courtedune
REGION
Rhône
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
Tannins
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine Font de Courtedune is celebrated as one of the ultimate insider secrets of the Southern Rhône. While Châteauneuf-du-Pape is globally famous for heavy clay soils covered in galets roulés (large river stones) that yield massive, ink-colored wines, Courtedune has a completely different personality. Their parcels sit directly adjacent to and share a border with the legendary Château Rayas, sharing the exact same prized sandy soils (safre). Because sand naturally yields far more delicate, perfume-driven, and elegant wines, Courtedune’s red is frequently compared to Rayas. Today, the sibling team of Caroline and Frédéric Charrier runs the estate, continuing a tradition of hands-on, low-intervention farming on their tiny 3.5-hectare property.
ALCOHOL
15.0%
AVG. PRICE
€45
STYLE
Classic
SULPHITES
YES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
16-18°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
The estate's vineyards share a border and the exact same prized sandy soils as the legendary Château Rayas.
Fact 02
The winery does not own a destemmer, resulting in 100% whole-cluster fermentation for all their red wines.
Fact 03
Aging is done entirely in concrete vats with zero oak contact to preserve the pure, high-toned red fruit.
FOOD PAIRING
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WINE MAKING PROCESS
The winemaking process at Domaine Font de Courtedune is highly traditional and minimalist. Sourced from old vines averaging 50 years of age, the grapes are harvested entirely by hand with strict sorting in the vineyard. In the cellar, winemaker Caroline Charrier employs 100% whole-cluster fermentation, as the estate does not own a destemmer. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using only native yeasts in old concrete tanks, lasting for approximately 30 days with very gentle pumpovers. The wine is then aged exclusively in concrete vats for 15 months with absolutely zero oak contact, ensuring the delicate, high-toned red fruit and sandy terroir are fully preserved. The finished wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
