# Domaine Font de Courtedune Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes Rouge (2024)

- **Producer:** Domaine Font de Courtedune
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache, Syrah
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €17
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, cherry, raspberry, lavender, violet, black pepper, liquorice, herbaceous

## About this wine

Domaine Font de Courtedune is a third-generation family-owned estate situated in Courthézon, managed by siblings Caroline and Frédéric Charrier. The domain name reflects the ancient title for Courthézon ('Courtedune') alongside the local natural springs ('Font'). Bordering the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, the estate's old vines grow on fine sandy soils rather than heavy stones, yielding remarkable aromatic purity and elegance. This Côtes du Rhône cuvée showcases the classic Southern Rhône terroir through thoughtful, minimal-intervention viticulture.

## Interesting facts

- The winery does not own a destemmer, resulting in 100% whole-cluster fermentation for all reds.
- The vineyard parcels sit directly adjacent to the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation border.
- No oak barrels are present in the cellar; aging takes place entirely in traditional concrete tanks.
- Tractors are avoided in these vineyard plots to prevent soil compaction and preserve delicate sandy soils.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity, sand-textured tannins, and rich garrigue herbal profile of this Southern Rhône red make it an exceptional match for savory roasted meats and rich stews. The wine's concentrated fruit notes pair naturally with fragrant Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme, and lavender, while its tannic structure cuts cleanly through rich proteins.

## Wine making process

Viticulture follows sustainable practices, working with old vines averaging 40 to 50 years of age. Harvested entirely by hand, the grapes undergo 100% whole-cluster fermentation as the cellar does not utilize a destemmer. Fermentation takes place exclusively in traditional concrete tanks using wild indigenous yeasts. Maceration spans two to three weeks with gentle manual punch-downs. The wine matures for nine months in concrete vats with zero oak influence, preserving pure fruit character, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.