Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2023

Château de Beaucastel has long been regarded as one of the most outstanding wines in France. It is notorious for its elegance, balance, and aging potential. Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is one of the great wines of the world. This bench-mark of the Southern Rhone has proven itself in the tasting rooms, in the ratings it receives, in the cellar with its ability to age and its collectability. I have had had 20 year old Beaucastel’s that are absolutely glorious. This wine gets monster press, the 2023 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is a great wine, not to be missed.

Beaucastel can date its history back to 1549 in Chateauneuf du Pape when Pierre Beaucastel bought land there. The land was transferred to so-in-law Pierre Perrin and the now famous Perrin wine family has been in control ever since, building Beaucastel into what it is today. Beaucastel, like all great wine estates is located on a unique terroir, situated in the far, north east of Chateauneuf du Pape in Coudoulet. The terroir consist of sandstone that is covered by a massive array of multi colored rocks, stone and limestone soil. The rocks reflect the sunlight and hold in the heat from the sun. The heat transfers to the vines at night. The terroir at Beaucastel also affords natural drainage. Another key component to Beaucastel and much of Chateauneuf du Pape is the wind known as the Mistral, which keeps the air clean and the terroir dry. The Perrin brothers were Decanter Magazine’s Men Of The Year in 2014. This is a reference point estate! Parkers calls  Beaucastel, “One of the great estates of the Rhone Valley.” Truly one of the great wines of the world and a must in any collection or cellar.

The higher Mourvèdre component gives it a more serious, focused style than most in the vintage, and it has darker blackberry fruits intermixed with roasted herbs, spring flowers, violets, and some meaty nuances on the nose. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a deep, pure, layered mouthfeel, it has ripe, velvety, yet building tannins and a great finish. Another beautiful vintage for this cuvée, it has the approachable style of the vintage yet brings more than enough density and concentration to evolve for 30 years. 96pts JD
Dense licorice and forest berry aromas mask the deep tannin structure of this Chateauneuf-du-Pape masterpiece. Full-bodied but with a lightness of touch. Then the power and stony intensity pour over you in a giant wave. The freshness is extraordinary for this hot and dry vintage. Serious tannins in the very long, compact and refined finish. From organically grown grapes. 97pts Suckling