Born from a sunny terroir where the vines brush the rolled pebbles, the Cuvée du Baron 2023, Château Fortia, Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, celebrates the deep elegance of great Southern Rhône reds. It is aimed at lovers of refined wines seeking controlled intensity—capable of brightening a gourmet dinner as much as elevating shared, rustic cuisine. Behind its discreet nobility, this cuvée reconciles two desires: the generosity of a generous fruit and the precision of thoughtful aging, resulting in an expression that remains upright, long and elegant. You find the signature of a winegrowing history mellowed by time, where balance is born from blending and patience. The glass reveals an aromatic score in dark and spicy registers, enlivened by garrigue and a delicate mineral thread. The texture, firm and silky, gains harmony after a few years in the cellar while already showing remarkable presence at the table. A wine of character, shaped for polished conviviality and memorable moments.

Blend and winemaking

In the great Châteauneuf-du-Pape tradition, this cuvée mainly brings together Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Parcels are vinified separately to preserve the distinct expressions, then the wine is aged in oak foudres, a choice that respects the identity of the fruit while softening the tannins. The emblematic rolled-pebble terroir stores daytime heat and releases it at night, promoting even ripening and concentrated aromas without excess. This precise approach, combined with the estate's know-how, produces a wine that is intense, ample and remarkably composed, where spice and depth combine with structuring freshness.

Tasting notes

• Colour: Deep and luminous, reflecting good concentration and promising youth.
• Nose: Complex and generous, on ripe black fruits, garrigue, pepper and forest-floor notes, lifted by a balsamic touch.
• Palate: Fleshy and elegant, driven by fine yet structuring tannins. The balance of fruit, spice and freshness stretches into a long, savoury finish.

Serving temperature and recommendations

Serve between 15.5 and 16 °C in large glasses to open the aromatic range and refine the texture. It is recommended to open the bottle a few minutes before serving to allow the aromas to express themselves. Kept in a cellar, protected from vibrations and temperature fluctuations, this wine gains harmony over the years, revealing additional complexity without losing its structure.

Food pairings

• Starters: fine charcuterie, tapenade, small olive and herbes de Provence pastries.
• Appetizers: country terrine, roasted vegetables, onion tart with caramelised onions and thyme.
• Main courses: roast lamb, grilled rib of beef, daube provençale, wild boar stew, lamb tagine with prunes.
• Cheeses: aged ewe's tomme, aged Cantal, farmhouse Saint-Nectaire.
• Desserts: thin tart with roasted figs, poached pear with spices, dark chocolate with little sugar.

Tasting occasions

A natural companion for large tables, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape shines when time stretches and conversation becomes music. It arrives with panache for moments you want to remember, without sacrificing delicacy.

• For a gourmet dinner where every pairing tells the story of the terroir.
• At a sunday roast around milk-fed lamb or a prime cut of beef.
• As a gift for an enthusiast, a symbol of an elegant and warm lifestyle.

Specifications

• Name: Château Fortia, Cuvée du Baron 2023
• Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
• Type: Red wine
• Vintage: 2023
• Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
• Aging: oak foudres
• Serving temperature: 15.5 to 16 °C
• Allergens: contains sulfites