Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
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, 2024
Presented double-blind. Visually, showing a garnet color with an opaque core. Some slight browning at the edge; could be varietal characteristics…could be signs of age? On the nose, there’s lovely cherry fruit with a kiss of barnyard, some tomato leaf, earth and spices. There seemed to be signs of oak but likely large format (thinking botti or foudre). On the palate, cherries again with some bramble fruit, earth, and mushrooms mixed in for good measure. Medium + tannin; medium + acid. I vacillated between Italy and Southern France, ultimately settling on Brunello from a very good, traditional producer. I was so impressed to see this was Beaucastel. My first Beaucastel with some real age. If this is what these wines become with age, it’s no wonder why they are so beloved. Loads of life left. Bravo.
Presented double-blind. Visually, showing a garnet color with an opaque core. Some slight browning at the edge; could be varietal characteristics…could be signs of age? On the nose, there’s lovely cherry fruit with a kiss of barnyard, some tomato leaf, earth and spices. There seemed to be signs of oak but likely large format (thinking botti or foudre). On the palate, cherries again with some bramble fruit, earth, and mushrooms mixed in for good measure. Medium + tannin; medium + acid. I vacillated between Italy and Southern France, ultimately settling on Brunello from a very good, traditional producer. I was so impressed to see this was Beaucastel. My first Beaucastel with some real age. If this is what these wines become with age, it’s no wonder why they are so beloved. Loads of life left. Bravo.
Jun 27th, 2021
Dark garnet color. Opaque. Interesting nose. Notes of plum, herbs, kirsch, some unsweetened dark chocolate, pepper and dark dry earth. Very rich in the mouth. Tannins softened. In a good drinking window.
Dark garnet color. Opaque. Interesting nose. Notes of plum, herbs, kirsch, some unsweetened dark chocolate, pepper and dark dry earth. Very rich in the mouth. Tannins softened. In a good drinking window.
Feb 24th, 2020
Showing little sign of age, this 2004 CNdP is a beautiful, robust wine with fine tannins, fresh acidity and a sweet glimmer of liquorice and chocolate alongside a notable gamey character. Mellow, rich, harmonious and brilliant all round. The finish is ultimately very savoury and long. This could age decades. Wonderful now, but in 20, 30, even 40 years time this would no doubt sing. The Perrin family use all permitted varietals in their Beaucastel CNdP, but the predominant blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah is masterful here.
Showing little sign of age, this 2004 CNdP is a beautiful, robust wine with fine tannins, fresh acidity and a sweet glimmer of liquorice and chocolate alongside a notable gamey character. Mellow, rich, harmonious and brilliant all round. The finish is ultimately very savoury and long. This could age decades. Wonderful now, but in 20, 30, even 40 years time this would no doubt sing. The Perrin family use all permitted varietals in their Beaucastel CNdP, but the predominant blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah is masterful here.
Dec 26th, 2019
Was shutdown most of the night right until the very end when it finally opened up. Needs more time in the cellar
Was shutdown most of the night right until the very end when it finally opened up. Needs more time in the cellar
3 people found it helpfulFeb 26th, 2015
Dark ruby/black in color. Dark berries, earth, and smoked meat on the nose. Complex and multilayered on the palate with rich dark berry fruit, cinnamon, licorice, and primal, gamy notes. Fine grained tannins give a lovely texture leading to a long finish. Blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault with all the remaining permitted red Rhône varieties rounding out the balance. Just about a perfect wine which seems to be at the top of it's game now.
Dark ruby/black in color. Dark berries, earth, and smoked meat on the nose. Complex and multilayered on the palate with rich dark berry fruit, cinnamon, licorice, and primal, gamy notes. Fine grained tannins give a lovely texture leading to a long finish. Blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault with all the remaining permitted red Rhône varieties rounding out the balance. Just about a perfect wine which seems to be at the top of it's game now.
1 person found it helpfulApr 29th, 2017Ridiculously sexy, smooth mouthfeel after 1.5-2hrs decanting. Nose is gamey with dark fruit, sweet licorice, herbs and hint of damson plum from 13yrs in bottle.
Ridiculously sexy, smooth mouthfeel after 1.5-2hrs decanting. Nose is gamey with dark fruit, sweet licorice, herbs and hint of damson plum from 13yrs in bottle.
1 person found it helpfulJan 29th, 2017Cigar Box Soft A Little bit too tired
Cigar Box Soft A Little bit too tired
May 24th, 2016
In great shape, drinks pretty young for an 11 year old CdP.
In great shape, drinks pretty young for an 11 year old CdP.
Dec 7th, 2015