Summary: Les Courtilles (a series of small courtyards) is named after the village winery founded in 1997 by Bernard Schurr. Here Bernard had the ambition of crafting small batches of wines with individual character and charm. Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone is sourced from 35-year-old vines on the right bank of the Rhone between Orange and Avignon. 

Winemaking: A core blend of primarily Grenache was hand-harvested and de-stemmed before a long cold soak and fermentation in small concrete vats, pumped over twice daily. Transferred to a stainless-steel tank to finish fermentation before blending with a component (20%) of barrel-matured Cotes de Rhone Villages fruit from the Plan de Dieu, adding depth, complexity and structure to the wine whilst also increasing cellaring potential.  

2017 Vintage: Although yields were down due to a hot dry vintage the result is powerful and structured wines as a result. Spring saw less rain than usual moving into an exceptionally dry and warm summer. There was little water stress as crops were so light. Earlier than usual harvest with optimal maturity of fruit.

Tasting Note: Textbook Cotes du Rhone, offering up a nose of dark berried fruit, savoury undergrowth, a hint of oak and sweet spice. The palate kicks off with a burst of supple red berry and sweet cherry flavours balanced by bright acidity and nicely textured tannins underpinned by an innate earthiness. Beautifully balanced and flavoursome, this is great Cotes du Rhone that will deliver relaxed drinking pleasure in the mid-term. Best drunk with pork belly and a red wine jus.

The below information is available for stockists of this product.

Bottle Barcode: 3525490096311

Carton Barcode: 3525490096310

Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone Tasting Note 2017

Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone Bottle Image