The vineyards of Paul Durieu begin on some of the original property of the archbishops of Avignon where he and his winemaker, Antoine Ferre produce their Chateauneuf du Pape on 21 hectares (~50 acres) and extends further into the regional Côtes du Rhone & Côtes du Rhone -Villages appellations where they produce regional wines with the same care and skill as their flagship Chateauneuf du Pape.

Overall, the vineyards are composed of clay and the famous "galets", small rounded stones that were brought down from the alps during the last Ice Age. This plateau, often swept by the famous mistral winds and warmed by the strong Mediterranean sun, is planted to Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Counoise, all bringing their unique characteristics to Paul Durieu's wines.

Their Côtes du Rhone is produced using mostly Grenache that is blended with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Counoise. Whole grape cluster maceration provides a rich and red raspberry fruit flavor and the subsequent fermentation is temperature controlled to preserve the freshness of the fruit. After the fermentation and maceration, the wine passes large vats for one year of ageing before bottling.

This delicious Côtes du Rhone wine shows good balance and ripe red cherry and raspberry fruit and some of the same characteristics found in the premium wines from this property. The fruit is deep and rich and full-bodied and quite surprising from a wine as affordable as this. Quite simply, a great tasting red wine that goes well with meats, roasted and grilled, as well as game, poultry, and fowl.

Durieu Family		Durieu Family & Ron Spears