Château de Beaucastel, Côtes du Rhône 2020 'Coudoulet de Beaucastel'

A wine enjoyable from the outset. The Mourvèdre element of Coudoulet combines so well with the Grenache to bring out a new dimension. Full on the nose, rounded and very smooth. Lovely.

Drinking Dates: 2023 to 2030

Cépagement: 30% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Cinsault

Soil: Diluvial alpine deposits with rolled pebbles over a former molasse sea bed of the Miocene epoch (tertiary period).

Upbringing: Handpicking and hand-sorting is followed by flash heating of the berries to 80°C and cooling to 20°C. Blending after malolactic fermentation then ageing in large oak foudres for 6 months.

ABV: 14%

'Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in oak to avoid reduction, Cinsault and Grenache in concrete tanks. Aged 6 months in foudres. Cask sample. Immediately more scented than some of the intense Famille Perrin range, with fragrant black-cherry fruit and a light herbal quality, as if there were some whole bunch (though I don't think there was). A hint of violets. On the palate, refined tannins, juicy, fresh, moreish' 16.5/20 (jancisrobinson.com)

'A year-in, year-out winner, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel offers outstanding quality as well as classic notes of darker fruits, roasted herbs, truffly earth, and some meaty, peppery, gamey nuances. With wonderful purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, it will have over a decade of longevity.' 90-92 (Jeb Dunnock)