Winemaker Notes
Superb deep-ruby red color with purple reflections. The nose reveals a beautiful freshness and a seductive aromatic bouquet combining notes of red fruit, spices and white pepper with a hint of perfectly integrated toasted vanilla. Full-bodied and very soft, the palate presents a very nice balance with freshness and aromas of black cherry jam. The finish is long with a beautiful aromatic intensity and velvety tannins. A wine of great elegance with good aging potential.
Blend: 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah, 20% Cinsault
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Easy-going, not too tannic, juicy, fresh and precise, with raspberry acidity. Good length, more structured than many Côtes-du-Rhônes.
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James Suckling
Deep, savory nose with notes of ripe black cherries and plum cake, plus minty and floral notes. In spite of the considerable power and generous tannin, this is very focused and elegant. The long, energetic finish suggests this has years of life ahead of it.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel continues this cuvée's hot streak. A blend of approximately 30% each Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, with 10% Carignan, it boasts attractive floral overtones, hints of crushed stone and ripe cherry fruit. Full-bodied and impressively silky for such a young wine, it should be drinkable upon release and for at least a decade thereafter. Best after 2022. Barrel Sample: 90-92
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Jeb Dunnuck
Bottled a month ago, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône Coudoulet sports a vivid ruby hue and is a blend of 30% each of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, with the balance Cinsault. It’s a ripe, rounded, medium to full-bodied effort that has lots of ripe red and blue fruits as well as notes of peppery garrigue and leather. Drink this juicy, elegant Côtes Du Rhône over the coming decade.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Typically thought of as a baby Chateâuneuf-du-Pape, the term Côtes du Rhône actually doesn’t merely apply to the flatter outskirts of the major southern Rhône appellations, it also includes the fringes of well-respected northern Rhône appellations. White wines can be produced under the appellation name, but very little is actually made.
The region offers some of the best values in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds. Red wine varieties include most of the Chateâuneuf-du-Pape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise, as well as Carignan. White grapes grown include Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, among others.