Soil: Stony Clay
Elevation: 55m to 150m
Grape Variety: 60% Grenache, 30% Shiraz, 10% Carignan
Winemaker: Bernard Schurr
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%

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.  

Tasting Note: Classic Cotes du Rhone with an evocative nose of dark berried fruit, savoury undergrowth, a hint of oak and nuanced spice. The palate displays supple red berry and sweet cherry flavours balanced by judicious acidity and nicely textured tannins complexed by earthy notes.   Beautifully balanced and flavoursome and best drunk with roast beef and dauphinoise potatoes.