Domaine Cour de Chaulé “La Vigneronne”

Côtes du Rhône, FRANCE |  2023

Domaine de Gour de Chaulé is one of the benchmark producers of the Southern Rhône, particularly known for its soulful expressions of Grenache.

Located in the village of Gigondas, the estate was founded in 1900 by Eugène Bonfils. For decades, the family sold their wines in bulk to local négociants. That began to change in the 1970s, when they started bottling small quantities under their own label for private clients.

The estate's modern reputation was cemented in the 1980s under the leadership of Aline Bonfils and her daughter, Stéphanie. During this time, the domaine grew to 15 hectares of which 10 lie within the prestigious Gigondas appellation, with the remaining 5 in neighboring Vacqueyras and Séguret.

The Bonfils family has long been staunch advocates for Grenache, which now makes up 85% of their plantings, alongside small amounts of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. Today, Stéphanie’s son, Paul Fumoso, leads the estate with the same commitment to quality. He works with old vines many of which are over 60 years of age. Paul continues the family tradition of crafting Grenache-based wines with both power and finesse. In the cellar, they favor whole-cluster fermentations, concrete vessels, and aging in large, neutral foudres to highlight the purity of fruit and terroir.

The 2023 Côtes du Rhône is a textbook example of what this category can offer. Composed of approximately 90% Grenache, the wine sees a shorter maceration before malolactic fermentation in concrete, followed by aging in large foudres for just over a year.

It opens with expressive aromas of kirsch, black raspberry, cracked pepper, and wild herbs (garrigue). Medium-plus in body, it carries juicy red fruit on the palate, soft tannins, and lingering spice on the finish. This wine strikes a beautiful balance between generosity and structure and is an ideal red for summer barbecues and casual outdoor meals.