Will Stanley

9.0

The 2017 Coudoulet de Beaucastel, which comes from its own vineyard neighbouring the property, just outside the appellation. The vineyard shares much of the same terroir as its namesake across the road, and this is evident in the character – and quality – of the wine. The nose is a dead ringer for Châteauneuf, with effusive aromas of jammy red fruit, Turkish delight, liquorice, star anise, wild herbs, and cherry liqueur. The palate adds flavours of blood orange and dried cranberry, with good concentration. There is some heat and the finish feels slightly clunky, which is a shame – but I can imagine in a strong vintage this wine must be a real steal. And plenty of life left for this 2017, so I’d certainly look for the ‘16 or ‘19 as an alternative.

A nice wine to enjoy during advent.

07/12/25 — 8 days ago

Doug Powers

9.2

[30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah, 20% Cinsault] Raspberry and dried red cherry fruit, some minerality as well, excellent acidity, ordinarily I drink Coudoulet when it’s older (15-20 years typically), yet this just tastes so darn good for a youngish Côtes du Rhône, longish finish, terrific juice!! — 10 months ago

with Jim

Will Stanley

9.0

Stylish with plenty of Southern Rhône character, the CDR Les Champauvins from Dom. Grand Veneur is drawn from a plot just north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and neighbouring Beaucastel’s Coudoulet lieu-dit. It features quite generous aromas of plum, hoisin, violet, garigue and vanilla leading to a very spicy and full bodied palate that hides its high ABV (15%) well. This is a good imitation of its AOC superiors and drinks well at four years of age. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Aromatics of new leather and dried fruit. Not your average Côtes du Rhône as you would expect from Chateau de Beaucastel. More full bodied than expected to go with our chicken dish. Far richer than Guigal’s version of Côtes du Rhône. — 9 days ago

Doug Powers

9.0

This is a SUPERIOR Côtes du Rhône, dark fruits, lovely depth and complexity, this is old vines fruit just barely outside the CdP appellation (similar to Coudoulet de Beaucastel), and has long been a poor man’s CdP!! — 3 months ago

with Jim

Ericsson

8.9

Pleasantly surprised. This wine is floral with touches of stone fruit and honey and persistent acidity. Cheers. — 4 years ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Nice aged Côtes du Rhône, definitely mature, but still some pleasant redfruit aromas and flavors, soft structure, lingering finish, time to drink up!! This was a gray market import, as all labels are in French only, 13.5% ABV. — 20 days ago

with Jim

Alan Johnston

9.1

3.1. OK Pays D’Oc Pinot Noir. Inexpensive, but nothing very special. On sale for $10.99. — 5 months ago

Doug Powers

9.0

More backward and closed than the 2017 Coudoulet, minerals, stones and faint redfruits here, good balance and length, just a bit of heat (15% ABV vs. the 14.0% of the Coudoulet), needs more cellaring. — 10 months ago

with Jim

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2019 | I do like this pays d’Oc Viognier. Expressive smell with flowers ánd minerals. Nice fruity taste. — 5 years ago