2024 Chateau Courac Cotes du Rhone Rhone Valley 750 ml

Château Courac is a star producer in Laudun—one of the southern Rhône's hidden gems. The village has long been recognized by insiders for its quality, but was only elevated to cru status in 2023, joining the circle of AOCs—headlined by Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape—that occupy the top rung of the Rhône quality ladder.

This Côtes-du-Rhône comes from a classic, throwback vintage in the southern Rhône: a cooler, old-school year that favored freshness and balance over sheer power. A moderate growing season, tempered by the mistral and a long, unhurried ripening, yielded reds with lift, aromatic detail, and the kind of poise that has always defined the region at its best.

Owned since 1995 by Frederic and Josephine Arnaud, Château Courac sits on the right bank of the Rhône river. Since the right bank is less subject to heavy winds, the grapes are less prone to dehydration. Coupled with cool nights and soils of sand over clay, Courac's grapes retain a freshness that allows for long hang times and plenty of concentration in the finished wines.

The Arnauds bring exceptional attention to detail in the vineyard. Cover crops are carefully selected to add nutrients and compete for water with the vines, driving roots deep into the earth. Leaves on the vines are pulled to increase airflow around the bunches—an especially valuable move in a classical year, when careful canopy work keeps the fruit clean and healthy through a long, even ripening.

Once the grapes are picked, everything is done traditionally. The Syrah-heavy blend is destemmed to promote rich fruit and silky tannins, while fermentation is kept cool to make sure the wine's delicate aromatics are preserved.

Expect a deep ruby pour with violet flashes, and aromas of ripe blackberry, red plum, and black cherry accented by lavender, cracked pepper, and the wild garrigue herbs of the southern Rhône. The palate is supple and medium-bodied, layering juicy dark berries with licorice, baking spice, and a touch of sun-warmed earth—all kept fresh and defined by lively acidity and a subtle mineral thread.