Wines Côtes-du-Rhône Domaine Bellefeuille - Cuvée Prestige - 2024

Viniou Reviews

Domaine Bellefeuille’s 2024 Cuvée Prestige hails from the Côtes-du-Rhône AOC, a regional appellation that captures the essence of the Southern Rhône Valley. This red blend, characteristic of the area, typically combines Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, with Grenache often leading for suppleness and ripe fruit, Syrah lending peppery notes and structure, and Mourvèdre underpinning the wine with savoury depth and longevity. The vintage 2024, still youthful, is likely marked by freshness and vibrant aromas of red fruits such as cherry and raspberry, with underlying hints of black pepper, Provençal herbs, and a subtle earthiness reflective of traditional vinification methods, which increasingly favour gentle extraction to preserve fruit purity.

The Côtes-du-Rhône region spreads across a vast part of the southern Rhone, benefiting from a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and the cooling influence of the mistral wind. These weather patterns foster grape maturity, intensity of flavours, and healthy vines. Soils in this area are diverse, ranging from pebbly “galets roulés” that retain the day’s heat, to sandy and limestone-rich patches, all of which contribute to the blend’s complexity, freshness and the accessibility that is the hallmark of good Côtes-du-Rhône. Historically, the area has long been the Rhône’s backbone, producing red wines celebrated for their approachability and gastronomic versatility.

For food pairings, the Cuvée Prestige’s juicy fruit and peppery spice shine alongside charcuterie boards, Provençal roasted lamb with herbs, or a classic ratatouille. Grilled meats, particularly sausages or even braised beef cheeks, complement the wine’s supple tannins and generous bouquet. Regional cheeses such as Picodon or Saint-Marcellin also make delightful partners, bringing out the southern flavours in the glass.

For the optimal tasting experience, serve this Côtes-du-Rhône at 16-18°C. This moderate temperature highlights its fruit-forward character while keeping the structure balanced and approachable. Decanting for 30 minutes is advisable if tasting in its youth, allowing the aromatic palette to fully express itself.