Notes:
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. Everything here is joyously traditional. The old vines (some of which are over 100 years old) are all farmed sustainably, with as little intervention as possible; a philosophy that follows through into the winery. Caroline has no truck with the current fashion for destalking and ferments with all the stems still intact. Everything is whole-bunch, fermented and aged in concrete vats, with no oak to be found in the winery at all. They work almost exclusively with Grenache, with just a splash of Mourvèdre, Counoise, Cinsault and Terret Noir to add extra spice and body to the wines.
This 98% Grenache displays complex aromas of garrigue, ripe cherries and raspberries. It’s lush and creamy in texture despite being vinified and aged in concrete; the tannins are soft, giving it a lush mouthfeel and a delicate finish that still retains a sense of power finishing with ample meaty notes. It’s a fleshy wine with a juicy fruit profile but darker earth tones and dense, chalky tannins anchor the finish. Drink now or cellar for many more years. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 94 points
