Domaine Font de Courtedune

Cotes du Rhone Villages Vieilles Vignes 2022

8.9

Good - an aggressive red. Maybe we needed a different meal to support the heft? Earthy, tannic, lasting finish… — 8 days ago

Mas Grange Blanche

La Font des Bessounes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Mas Grange Blanche Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Font des Bessounes” 2020
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A traditional Southern Rhône blend featuring Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, among other permitted varietals of the appellation. The 2020 vintage is considered one of balance and finesse, producing wines with both fruit concentration and freshness.

Aromas & Flavors
Intensely aromatic with red and blue bramble fruits, black pepper, mulling spices, licorice, and hints of tobacco and biscuits. On the palate, it’s medium-to-full-bodied, showing layers of cherry, blackberry, and subtle earthy notes, wrapped with freshness and minimal oak influence.

Mouthfeel
Structured yet approachable, with balanced acidity and polished tannins. Displays good complexity, moderate weight, and a long, savory finish that speaks to the terroir.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested grapes, vinified traditionally with careful extraction to preserve both fruit character and elegance. Aged with minimal oak to highlight purity and balance.

Food Pairing
Pairs wonderfully with roast lamb, duck breast, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses. Its spice and structure also work well with Mediterranean herb-driven dishes.

Verdict
A well-structured and gratifying Châteauneuf-du-Pape, showcasing the elegance of the 2020 vintage. Balanced, aromatic, and age-worthy—drink now or cellar for added depth. — 5 months ago

Dave, Daniel and 1 other liked this

Château de la Font du Loup

Le Chateau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2019

Sam Friedland

9.0

60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 5% Cinsault. Quite delicate and somewhat fruity. — 9 months ago

Domaine de Font-Sane

Tradition Gigondas Grenache Blend 2023

Tom Casagrande

9.1

A surprisingly gorgeous evening in DC tonight at a favorite classic bistro. This Giggie has loads of ripe fruit, but is drinking really well already. Very soft, decent acids. Some savory notes. The alcohol (15%) pooks through on the back half of the palate. But it was served a little warmer than I’d like, so that probably amplified it. — 2 months ago

Dave, Doug and 15 others liked this

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, I *think* the 2022 CdR from this producer was one of the Mystery Rhônes I purchased from a certain purveyor where you and I had a back and forth about undisclosed ABV. Glad to read here that you purchased, from wherever, a newer vintage from the same producer that also is 15% or higher!! 🤔🤷🍷

Tom Casagrande

@Doug Powers.- I ordered it off the restaurant’s wine list. I suspected it would be 15% because that’s pretty much the norm these days for Gigondas. I held out a smidge of hope it would be less but was prepared to accept it anyway if was 15. I drink significantly fewer CDPs and Giggies than I used to these days because they’re just not as enjoyable in my view as they used to be.

Château de la Font du Loup

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2019

Sam Friedland

9.1

Very pleasant, cherries and mild tannins — 7 months ago

Domaine Font de Michelle

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2016

Will Mitchell

9.0

A great start to birthday celebrations kicking off, this was a great reminder of the Chateau Neuf region and what it offers. On the nose a baboom level of red, rip fruit with a hint of pepper. On the palate slightly more subtle flavours with complexity, retaining the fruit but adding a floral notes, then developing later on into a darker, tobacco tone. Texture was smooth with very fine tannins - all in all a pleasure to drink! — 2 years ago