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 2022 vintage experienced contrasting climatic hazards which allowed to offer good quality grapes and a very promising aromatic complexity, with however a heterogeneous volume depending on the plots. Winter and spring were particularly mild and very dry, with the months of January and May proving to be the driest since the start of the 20th century, with record temperatures in May and June. These conditions allowed to maintain an excellent sanitary state of the vines, thanks to a total absence of disease. The summer was then very sunny with high temperatures that presaged high potential in terms of alcohol, but saving rains in mid-August allowed the grapes to slowly continue to mature. The harvest thus began on August 19th in very good conditions and 11 days ahead of 2021. It was punctuated by a few rainfalls in September which did not alter the superb quality of the grapes but made it necessary to carry out a light sorting in the vineyard. We have worked our rosés with finesse, for elegant, fruity and low-alcohol wines. The reds were gently vinified with delicate extractions which reveal particularly balanced wines. The first tastings suggest a 2022 vintage full of promise, with complex and aromatic palates and great balance.

Located to the east of the Beaucastel vineyard, Coudoulet stretches across 30 hectares within the Côtes du Rhône appellation. Its terroir of Miocene marine molasse topped with an Alpine diluvium of rolled pebbles, identical to that of Châteauneuf du Pape, gives the wine a unique identity. The hand harvested grapes are carefully sorted, then undergo whole berry heating to 80°C before being cooled to 20°C, followed by a 12 day maceration in concrete tanks. The juices are then pressed and blended variety by variety after malolactic fermentation, before ageing for 6 months in oak foudres, revealing all the elegance and depth of this great Rhône wine.

Elegant clear ruby-red colour, with purple undertones. Surprisingly fresh for this hot vintage, the nose shows a seductive aromatic bouquet delicately mixing notes of fresh red fruit with aromas of cypress. The freshness continues on the palate with a very nice balance, soft and velvety tannins, beautiful fruity aromas and roundness. Ample and suave, the finish offers a very nice length supported by a hint of salinity.