Château de Beaucastel is one of the great names of the Southern Rhône and makes what for many is the definitive wine of the appellation. The property’s vineyards are situated in one whole block – a rarity in Châteauneuf - and just east of that block, separated by the A7 autoroute, lie the vines that produce their Côtes du Rhône: Coudoulet de Beaucastel.
The vineyards share soils that are remarkably similar to one another, and the wines are crafted by the same team. As such one can consider Coudoulet as very much a “baby Beaucastel” and the wine is invariably one of the bargains of the Southern Rhône.
We have just shipped a small parcel of 2020 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Rouge - a great vintage for the southern Rhône which offered an abundant crop of ripe and healthy fruit harvested under clear skies.
Critical praise for the wine is strong, especially so for a wine with such a modest price tag: Jeb Dunnuck rates it 91 points “Drink this juicy, elegant Côtes Du Rhône over the coming decade” whilst his counterpart Joe Czerwinski is 90-92 “Full-bodied and impressively silky for such a young wine, it should be drinkable upon release and for at least a decade thereafter.” Thomas Parker MW rates it 92+: “Bright and primary through to the finish, this is an absolute delight that will be approachable from the very start, but drink well for up to a decade.”
At less than a third of the price of its big brother this is a bargain. Drink now – perfect for the barbecue season – or cellar for a few years. It delivers a great deal of punch for a wine at just £15 per bottle in bond, or a shade under £22 per bottle including taxes.
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. Drink 2022-2032.
Coudoulet Rouge remains one of the great value wines from the Rhône valley, offering a taste of Beaucastel for a fraction of the price with superb approachability. Bright ruby colour in the glass, the nose is immediate and wonderfully expressive. Bright red fruit - plums, cherries and raspberries - burst through with great clarity. This follows on the palate, which is fleshy and forward, the tannins seamless and already integrated into the core of fruit. This brings more summer pudding fruit and a creamy edge, yet there is underlying precision in hints of garrigue and savoury spice. Bright and primary through to the finish, this is an absolute delight that will be approachable from the very start, but drink well for up to a decade.
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. Drink or hold.
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. Drink Date: 2022 - 2033
Easy-going, not too tannic, juicy, fresh and precise, with raspberry acidity. Good length, more structured than many Côtes-du-Rhônes. Tannins just a touch dry and fibrous compared to some finer Châteauneufs, but this is very good. Drink 2022-2030.
