Font de Courtedune: Old Vines, Whole Clusters, Pure Expression
Directly next door to Château Rayas, the wines of Font de Courtedune remain one of the Southern Rhône’s best-kept secrets. Vigneron Caroline Charrier views herself as a steward of the land, farming gently and crafting her wines with whole-cluster fermentation and native yeasts to preserve purity and site expression.
Her sandy-soil Châteauneuf-du-Pape, nearly 100% Grenache, has long impressed me. But the real standout may be her Côtes-du-Rhône Villages. Sourced from old vines in top parcels, it delivers layered aromas of dried blackberry, black cherry, crushed peppercorn, savory herbs, and pipe tobacco. Zesty and persistent on the palate, it shows remarkable complexity, freshness, and balance. A compelling reminder of just how serious Côtes-du-Rhône Villages can be.
2022 Font de Courtedune Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Vieilles Vignes $17.99
2022 Font de Courtedune Côtes-du-Rhône Vieilles Vignes $10.99