Domaine Patrick et Christophe Bonnefond - Côte-Rôtie - Colline de Couzou - Red - 2023

Wine:

From schist and granite soils, the 2023 Red Côte-Rôtie Colline de Couzou is a beautifully balanced wine that remains effortlessly drinkable. The Syrah is perfectly ripe, offering classic notes of black pepper and violet, enhanced by a gentle oak influence—18 months of ageing in 400L barrels, with only 10% new wood, ensuring the fruit stays front and center. On the palate, it’s juicy and full of flavour, with a fleshy texture and a vibrant mineral thread that highlights the granite-driven character. Pure, expressive, and bursting with clarity, this young cuvée promises excellent ageing potential. Over the next decade, it will shine alongside grilled or slow-cooked meats. Rated 95/100 and named a Favourite of the Selection Committee, it’s a standout example of Côte-Rôtie at an exceptional value.

Vinification:

Hand harvested. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for 3 weeks, 30% whole grapes. Aged for 15-18 months in 400-litre barrels, 10% of which are new.

Color:

Carmine red, intense and brilliant, with purple reflections.

Nose:

aromas of perfectly ripe Syrah, lifted by a touch of Sichuan pepper and delicate violet. The oak is subtle and well-integrated, enhancing the fruit without overpowering it.

Palate:

Deliciously juicy and full-bodied, this cuvée is driven by a vibrant mineral backbone that brings out its granite-infused character. The profile is pure, luminous, and impeccably balanced—elegant yet easy to drink. While it will age beautifully over the next ten years, a good decant will reward the more impatient.

Temperature:

Decant and serve between 14 and 16°C.

Food and wine pairing:

Red meat, beef, duck, game, venison, hare, etc.

Cellar aging:

From today until 2034.

Key figures in Côte-Rôtie and awarded one star in the RVF Guide—a respected French wine publication—Patrick and Christophe Bonnefond have become true benchmarks in the Rhône Valley. Their commitment to precision and depth is reflected in their wines: serene, structured, and shaped by long, thoughtful ageing that brings out their full complexity.

Each year, it’s a real pleasure to discover the new vintage. Their single-vineyard Côte-Rôties—classic expressions of the Côte Brune—deliver remarkable depth and a magical ageing potential.