A guide to Counoise worth seeking out, by region. We list the estates, how each region expresses the grape, and the bottles that show it best.

Counoise in Rhone Valley

Chateau de Beaucastel ★ 5.0

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, Cinsault, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, ClairetteFounded 1549Demeter CertifiedECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape

The Perrin family estate at Courthezon, one of the oldest and most biologically farmed CdP properties, using all 13 permitted varieties and producing the benchmark Roussanne Vieilles Vignes blanc.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the estate; wine shop on site

Signature wines: beaucastel-chateauneuf-rouge, beaucastel-roussanne-vieilles-vignes, beaucastel-hommage-a-jacques-perrin

Tip: The Hommage a Jacques Perrin is the prestige red; the Roussanne Vieilles Vignes white is the estate's flagship white wine.

Clos des Papes ★ 4.9

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Vaccarese, Counoise, Roussanne, ClairetteFounded 1896ORGANIC CERTIFIEDChateauneuf-du-Pape

Paul-Vincent Avril's family estate, one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's most consistent producers, making densely structured reds from a large parcel mosaic.

Tasting: By appointment at the estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Signature wines: clos-des-papes-rouge, clos-des-papes-blanc

Tip: The red uses Mourvedre more generously than most CdP estates, lending dark-earth, game-meat character.

Domaine du Pegau ★ 4.8

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Cinsault, VaccareseFounded 1987Chateauneuf-du-Pape

The Feraud family domaine producing Chateauneuf-du-Pape of extraordinary concentration and longevity, particularly the special-edition Da Capo cuvee.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the estate

Signature wines: pegau-cuvee-da-capo, pegau-cuvee-reservee

Domaine de la Janasse ★ 4.7

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Cotes du Rhone AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Clairette, Roussanne, Grenache BlancFounded 1973Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Courthezon family estate producing approachable and reliably excellent Chateauneuf-du-Pape including the old-vine Chaupin Grenache cuvee.

Tasting: Tasting room open Monday to Saturday at the domaine

Signature wines: janasse-chateauneuf-chaupin, janasse-chateauneuf-vieilles-vignes

Tip: Cuvee Chaupin from a single old-vine Grenache parcel is a must-try.

Clos Saint-Jean ★ 4.6

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Clairette, RoussanneFounded 1955Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate run by brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel, producing concentrated cuvees including the rare Deus ex Machina prestige bottling.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the estate

Signature wines: clos-saint-jean-deus-ex-machina, clos-saint-jean-la-combe-des-fous

Domaine de Marcoux ★ 4.8

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, Vaccarese, Grenache Blanc, ClairetteFounded 1936Demeter CertifiedECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape

Demeter-certified biodynamic Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate producing profound old-vine Grenache of great depth and terroir expression.

Tasting: By appointment at the domaine

Signature wines: marcoux-chateauneuf-vieilles-vignes, marcoux-chateauneuf-classique

Tip: The Vieilles Vignes cuvee from centenarian Grenache is among the most complex and age-worthy in CdP.

Domaine Gourt de Mautens ★ 4.9

IGP VaucluseGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, CamareseFounded 1990Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTRasteau

The cult producer of Rasteau, deliberately declassifying wines to IGP Vaucluse, farming rare old vine field blends including obscure varieties like Camarese for extraordinary complexity.

Tasting: By appointment at the domaine

Signature wines: gourt-de-mautens-igp

Tip: Production is tiny; wines are sought by collectors globally. One of the great value-to-quality stories in the Southern Rhone.

Domaine Brusset ★ 4.4

Cairanne AOC, Gigondas AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, CinsaultFounded 1947Cairanne

Cairanne and Gigondas producer with a large portfolio, a reference estate for the newly elevated Cairanne AOC.

Tasting: Open tasting room at the domaine in Cairanne

Signature wines: brusset-cairanne

Chateau La Nerthe ★ 4.7

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache BlancFounded 1560ECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape

One of the oldest estates in CdP with winemaking cited to the 16th century, producing refined GSM-led reds and whites from organic farming.

Tasting: Open tasting room and shop at the chateau; cellar tours by appointment

Signature wines: nerthe-chateauneuf-rouge, nerthe-cuvee-des-cadettes

Tip: The Cuvee des Cadettes white from very old Roussanne and Clairette vines is a rare and age-worthy white CdP.

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