Gauntleys Mixed Wine Cases
The Vintage Variation Mixed Case

This is a six-bottle mixed case, containing 2x each of the following wines:

2015 Coudoulet Rouge
2016 Coudoulet Rouge
2017 Coudoulet Rouge


This week, we are delighted to give you the opportunity to enjoy and compare three back-to-back vintages of one of the greatest examples of Cotes du Rhone, Coudoulet de Beaucastel. It is always truly fascinating to compare and contrast vintages and to see how drastically the weather during a particular growing season, impacts the style and profile of the wine produced.

Beaucastel’s red Coudoulets, which we bring to you today, have been widely regarded as amongst the finest Còtes du Rhones in the world, for many years. They are from vineyards located barely 50m outside of the appellation limits of Chateauneuf du Pape, and vinified with the same practices and dedication, with the same mix of grape varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault), as their illustrious, Chateau de Beaucastel Cuvée. So, in our minds, and the minds of many others, Beaucastel’s Coudoulets are basically ‘mini’ Chateauneuf du Pape’s, having far more in common with the wines of the illustrious cru, than they do with the vast majority of generic ‘Côtes du Rhone’ wines.

2015 and 16 have both become legendary vintages in the Southern Rhone. With ideal conditions throughout the season, with extended periods of great heat and sun, but also with a small amount of rain at the perfect times. All grapes were truly able to reach incredible levels of maturity and ripeness and the wines are powerful, bombastic, and rich. The main difference between the two was that 2016 wasn’t quite as blisteringly hot as 15, which resulted in the wines having a bit more finesse, fragrance, and freshness. 2017 on the other hand, was what growers call ‘a winemaker’s vintage’, one that was very hands on a required an exceptional amount of skill and vineyard management to produce the goods. It was a vintage of extremes, with damaging frost and hail peppering the vineyards, resulting in massive amounts of crop loss, whilst also seeing the longest period of heatwave and drought in 30 years. However, the Perrin family, whilst not producing as much wine, miraculously still managed to craft a wine with quality matching that of the 15 and 16, displaying once again, they’re talents as winemakers. Which vintage will turn out to be your personal favourite?

These wines are best decanted, in order to get the full experience. They will also age well over the next 5-10 years if you choose to keep one of two behind in the cellar.