Presentation
Presentation
The 30 hectares of Coudoulet are located just east of the vineyard of Beaucastel on the other side of the A7 motorway. For reasons that have now become obvious, Coudoulet is often considered the baby Beaucastel. The Coudoulet soil has many similarities to that of Beaucastel. It is made out of Molasse seabed covered by diluvial alpine deposits. These pebbles called “Galets Roulés” play a big role: They take in the heat during the day and let it if off slowly at night which gives a good start to the vines in the Spring.
Location
Within the Côtes du Rhône appellation, adjoining the vines of Château de Beaucastel, between Orange and Avignon. The vineyard of the Coudoulet de Beaucastel Blanc is 3 hectares (6 acres) in size.
Terroir
Miocene marine molasses with a layer of alpine diluvium (rounded pepples).
Ageing
Hand-picked grapes are collected in baskets prior to sorting, pneumatic pressing and clarification of the must, fermentation partially in oak barrels and partially in steel tanks. For eight months in barrels and steel tanks, before blending and bottling, without cold stabilisation.
Varietals
Bourboulenc : 30%
Marsanne : 30%
Viognier : 30%
Clairette : 10%
Marsanne : 30%
Viognier : 30%
Clairette : 10%
Advice
Serving
Serve lightly chilled at 10°C in a fine glass.
Tasting
The Coudoulet 2019 has a beautiful crystalline and shiny colour with green and golden reflections. The nose is delicate with an attractive bouquet on notes of citrus zest and ginger. Full and complex, the mouth reveals gourmet aromas of apricot and mango and has a long finish enhanced by a little bitterness.
Reviews
"There's a gentle headiness, a slight exoticism to the 2019 Coudoulet blanc. A little banana to the pear fruit. Rounded, full-bodied but a good sense of freshness. The bitterness is a little more pronounced this year, but still works well structurally. Gently oily, but there's a keen steeliness even if the acidity is only moderate. Has some serious presence for a Côtes-du-Rhône. Also contains 25% Marsanne."
