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.
The vintage
2021 is a vintage marked by freshness, which is similar to the vintages we had in the eighties and nineties. It is also what we call a "winegrower vintage", human intervention and the care given to the vines were decisive for the quality of the vintage. Marked by climatic vagaries, with an episode of frost in April and interrupted harvest because of rain, this year has indeed required constant investment from our teams in the vineyard. Their attention and their commitment have borne their fruit: this vintage is very promising with lots of freshness and great balance.
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%
Specifications
Advice
Serving
Serve lightly chilled at 10°C in a fine glass.
Tasting
Beautiful clear and limpid colour with subtle green reflections. The nose reveals itself with lots of freshness and a delicate aromatic bouquet with aromas of citrus fruit and pomelo combined with notes of white flowers, bergamot and lime blossom. This superb freshness continues on the palate with a very nice balance and a finish full of liveliness.
Reviews
"The 2021 Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet Blanc comes from two terroirs, one just across the A7 autoroute and one slightly further north. It has terrific aromatics of pear, crushed citrus, and white peach to go with a tight, medium-bodied, almost reductive (in a good way) style on the palate. It's not yet bottled, but this will certainly be an outstanding wine and will easily stand up beside a Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc."
