Château de Beaucastel - Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2023

Château de Beaucastel is a magical place, surrounded by hills planted with vines, hundred-year-old olive trees and truffle oaks. Here nature is blooming, liberated and at ease. Ancient vines with knotted roots are nurtured in the traditional "gobelet" style in the soil typical of the region, laden with large round pebbles. When the Mistral blows - the legendary wind from the Alps - it whistles down the Rhône Valley cooling the vines and revealing aromas of Garrigue. It has the Southern accent of those who live here at one with the Mediterranean climate. It's on these ancestral soils, supporting the 13 grape varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, that each new vintage of Beaucastel is born.

Each variety is harvested manually and separately, then sorted in the cellar. The harvest is heated to 80°C (skins) and then cooled down to 20°C. Classic maceration occurs in cement tanks for 12 days. Pressing in pneumatic presses. Blending of the different varietals after malolactic fermentation. Ageing in Oak Foudres for 6 months.

"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" - 97 Points, James Suckling

"The estate lost some Grenache due to shatter, so the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape is based on 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 10% Counoise, 10% Syrah, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. It was all destemmed except for the Syrah and brought up in foudre. 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." - 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

"A tasting of the constituent parts this year, so this is a provisional score. The Terret Noir, Muscardin and Vaccarèse were fermented together; they provide the more fragrant top notes, bright and attractive if not deep. The Cinsault was perfumed and fresh, with fine tannins. The Counoise was more savoury, with more depth and tannin; tense and saline, and spicy thanks to 50% whole-bunch fermentation. The Grenache was soft and supple, fairly dark in colour, quite structured, with impressive freshness, tannins and acidity. The Syrah was deep, intense, black-fruited and peppery – quite potent in alcohol, with intense tannins. The Mourvèdre will be 30% of the blend, contributing mouthcoating, deep and succulent tannins, plenty of flesh and quite high alcohol." - 96 Points, Decanter

"As usual, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape from Château de Beaucastel was matured in foudres. Wafting from the glass with aromas of pepper, garrigue, dark berries and flowers, it’s medium- to full-bodied, round and sappy, with a layered core of fruit and a dense, precise mid-palate framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a firmer, gently spicy finish." - 94 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Producer: Château de Beaucastel

Country: France

Region: Rhone

Varietal: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault and others

Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml