Domaine Font de Courtedune – for now, at least – is something of an insider’s secret. With vineyards right next door to Château Rayas, and sharing the same sandy soils, this tiny Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate produces outstanding wines that are a fraction of the price of those of its famous neighbour.
Presentation
Presentation
Until 1998 the production was delivered to the co-operative, but the young generation Caroline and Frédéric Charrier started bottling at the domain after a new cellar was built. Caroline has attended the wine school in Beaune and is responsible for the winemaking and is gaining attention with amazing wines produced and international accolades. Caroline has no truck with the current fashion for destalking and ferments with all the stems still intact. The wines are vinted and aged in concrete vessels only, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered. She therefore produces wines of immense finesse, great freshness, almost crunchy and very well balanced.
Location
Located in Courthézon village, on Chateau Rayas terroir.
Terroir
Sandy and clay limestone soils.
Winemaking
Whole cluster, fermented in concreted vessels. No oak treatment, maturation in bottles.
Ageing
No oak treatment, maturation in bottles.
Varietals
Merlot : 50%
Syrah : 50%
Syrah : 50%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 14,5 % vol.
GM : No.
Contains sulphites. Does not contain egg or egg products. Does not contain milk or milk-based products.
Advice
Serving
16°C / 61°F
Ageing potential
5 to 10 years
Tasting
Because the vineyards straddle multiple appellations (and because Merlot is not allowed under
local appellation rules), it carries a modest IGP Vaucluse label, but this is serious stuff. It's elegant,
lithe (but dense) and creamy in texture, with leather, dried fruit, black olive and cocoa notes fading
into a softly dusty finish tinged with lingering espresso nuances.
local appellation rules), it carries a modest IGP Vaucluse label, but this is serious stuff. It's elegant,
lithe (but dense) and creamy in texture, with leather, dried fruit, black olive and cocoa notes fading
into a softly dusty finish tinged with lingering espresso nuances.
