# Domaine Font de Courtedune Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge (2023)

- **Producer:** Domaine Font de Courtedune
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Terret Noir
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.0%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, strawberry, plum, black pepper, herbaceous, violet, leather, game, forest floor

## About this wine

Domaine Font de Courtedune is celebrated as one of the ultimate insider secrets of the Southern Rhône. While Châteauneuf-du-Pape is globally famous for heavy clay soils covered in galets roulés (large river stones) that yield massive, ink-colored wines, Courtedune has a completely different personality. Their parcels sit directly adjacent to and share a border with the legendary Château Rayas, sharing the exact same prized sandy soils (safre). Because sand naturally yields far more delicate, perfume-driven, and elegant wines, Courtedune’s red is frequently compared to Rayas. Today, the sibling team of Caroline and Frédéric Charrier runs the estate, continuing a tradition of hands-on, low-intervention farming on their tiny 3.5-hectare property.

## Interesting facts

- The estate's vineyards share a border and the exact same prized sandy soils as the legendary Château Rayas.
- The winery does not own a destemmer, resulting in 100% whole-cluster fermentation for all their red wines.
- Aging is done entirely in concrete vats with zero oak contact to preserve the pure, high-toned red fruit.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body, high alcohol, and structured tannins require rich, savory dishes with high protein and fat, such as roasted lamb or game, to soften the tannins. The bright acidity and red fruit profile beautifully complement dishes featuring earthy mushrooms, truffles, or berry-based reductions, while avoiding overly delicate or highly spicy foods that would clash with the wine's power.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Domaine Font de Courtedune is highly traditional and minimalist. Sourced from old vines averaging 50 years of age, the grapes are harvested entirely by hand with strict sorting in the vineyard. In the cellar, winemaker Caroline Charrier employs 100% whole-cluster fermentation, as the estate does not own a destemmer. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using only native yeasts in old concrete tanks, lasting for approximately 30 days with very gentle pumpovers. The wine is then aged exclusively in concrete vats for 15 months with absolutely zero oak contact, ensuring the delicate, high-toned red fruit and sandy terroir are fully preserved. The finished wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.