Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036.
Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036.
Nov 10th, 2024
Bottled in June 2023, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ended up slightly below my initial assessment from barrel last year. Nonetheless, it presents a distinctively elegant and refreshing character that’s neatly defined by ripe black cherry, licorice, violet, strawberry and meaty traces. Round tannins neatly frame this savory and polished red that offers highly enjoyable drinking right out of the gate. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
Bottled in June 2023, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ended up slightly below my initial assessment from barrel last year. Nonetheless, it presents a distinctively elegant and refreshing character that’s neatly defined by ripe black cherry, licorice, violet, strawberry and meaty traces. Round tannins neatly frame this savory and polished red that offers highly enjoyable drinking right out of the gate. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
Transparent, singing. Ripe but tense. Truly top tier fruit.
Transparent, singing. Ripe but tense. Truly top tier fruit.
Mar 30th, 2024
Cool and collected. Gnarly blue fruit, dried herbs and a bloodiness. Lean but soulful
Cool and collected. Gnarly blue fruit, dried herbs and a bloodiness. Lean but soulful
Mar 7th, 2024Lovely and ripe on the nose with really punchy plum and pepper. On the palate a bit hot and short compared to the others alongside
Lovely and ripe on the nose with really punchy plum and pepper. On the palate a bit hot and short compared to the others alongside
Mar 7th, 2024Calm and resolved noise with gorgeous fruit. Poised on the midpalate. Very good
Calm and resolved noise with gorgeous fruit. Poised on the midpalate. Very good
Mar 7th, 2024
Rating refers to the last glass, which was the best. Our foul… upon opening it was almost a little thin and flat. But as we swirled it got better and better until there was quickly none left. Last glass had bramble, earth, caramel. Nice 1998!
Rating refers to the last glass, which was the best. Our foul… upon opening it was almost a little thin and flat. But as we swirled it got better and better until there was quickly none left. Last glass had bramble, earth, caramel. Nice 1998!
Dec 29th, 2023
Excellent. Still has some primary fruit but the red plum, smoked meats and dried herbs are really what’s screaming. This was one of the best 20 + year old cdp’s I’ve had. Lovely
Excellent. Still has some primary fruit but the red plum, smoked meats and dried herbs are really what’s screaming. This was one of the best 20 + year old cdp’s I’ve had. Lovely
Dec 28th, 20231995. Lost something. But sure. In great shape and historically lovely. What a treat
1995. Lost something. But sure. In great shape and historically lovely. What a treat
Dec 25th, 2023