Jim Powers

9.4

Classic Besucastel! I first visited this property in 1987, and the Brett character was unmistakeable. This 1990 is aging extremely well. Strong Brett aromas, but the fruit is also strong and in balance. If you are one that thinks Brett is an unforgivable flaw, you will hate this. Great Chateauneuf from a great vintage! Celebrating my son’s 33rd birthday tonight (1993 wasn’t a great vintage in CdP!) with a perfectly grilled NY steak. I am very pleased with this wine — 23 days ago

David Miska

9.2

Wonderful — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is one of the values you buy in futures in excellent vintages (2005 is) and hold it until now & the next 5 yrs for its best. Yet, will drink another 5 yrs. 2005 I believe is the best Bordeaux fruit in nearly three decades I’ve noted.

Also, this one is not to be confused with the same name Chateau that is Pomerol. Think this was around $20 on release.

If you note the Right Bank map I posted, you’ll see the region of Cotes de Castillon is an outlier region just east of St. Emilion. While a lesser region than SE, it still makes some nice wines like this one.

This bottle has been well stored for nearly 20 yrs. Cork like new with next to no wine stain on its side. One of the prettier 91’s I’ve had in memory.

The color is still deep opaque with a lighter glass edge. No brickish tones.

The nose shows ruby, floral, candied; dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, black plum, poached strawberries & raspberry hues,, dark tarriness, black licorice, mid berry cola, steeped tea, coffee, some lead pencil, dry tobacco, dry river stone, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, light caramel with understated/layered baking spices & soft dark spices, red, dark florals framed in liquid violets.

The tannins are medium, well rounded, plush & velvety. Palate shows a more pronounced ruby quality, floral to just candied; dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, poached strawberries & raspberry hues, dark tarriness, black licorice, mid berry cola, steeped tea, dry crushed limestone, moist herbs w/ a sage lead, coffee, some lead pencil, dry tobacco, dry river stone, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, charcoal w/ ash, warm, dark chocolate sliding into milk chocolate, light caramel with understated/layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin & soft dark spices, red, dark florals framed in brilliant, liquid violets, perfect acidity, balance for days, softly knitted, mid tension, very good length with an elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on gentle, mid spices and beautiful earthiness.

It is an elegant beauty. It’s a gentle, even palate tug of war with the wine & Wagyu Ribcap. 91-92 with the Ribcap. More 92 w/ the steak. — 5 months ago

Ted

9.1

Loved it. Strawberry twizzlers. — 6 months ago

with Jeni

Craig Becraft

9.1

Drinking wonderfully right now beautiful complexity, depth, and nice, dark fruit earth and herbs and just the right amount of tannins in finish — 8 months ago

Jan A

9.2

This was decanted 24 hours upfront. Needs another 5 years. Very young. The 2016 is drinking nicely right now and the 2019 is in the beginning of it's drinking window. Rated for future potential 92-94. — 25 days ago

Roman Boudou

9.5

“Made with love” — 3 months ago

David Dorn

9.1

Very elegant Cabernet from Washington. — 4 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Notes from memory after many months - just remember this was beautifully integrated and singing after 14 years. I’m a huge fan of this Rhône Négociant and producer; consistently excellent. #vinsobres — 9 months ago

Matthew Doty

9.0

2023 vintage. Lovely — 5 months ago

Tristan

9.0

$85 at restaurant — 5 months ago

Marcy R

9.2

Good inexpensive bubbles — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Aromatics of new leather and dried fruit. Not your average Côtes du Rhône as you would expect from Chateau de Beaucastel. More full bodied than expected to go with our chicken dish. Far richer than Guigal’s version of Côtes du Rhône. Had my last bottle 11 weeks later on 27th February 2026 with consistent notes. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened about 30 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2023 pours a deep garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, mostly black fruit: mulberries, blackberries, plums, purple flowers, exotic spices, mocha, some wood varnish and organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and sanguine with a velvety texture. Modern and insane value. Drink now through 2038. — 2 months ago

Mike Lev

9.0

Very nice & good QPR blend. Merlot 70%. Ripe fruit, blackberry, tea, licorice. 1 hour decant. Organic+. — 4 months ago

Rufus King

9.1

Very dry Bordeaux with fine tannin, Drakes Island, ME — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.2

Margaux, so underrated, cheers. In Saint Emilion. — 5 months ago

Rufus King

9.2

Nicely balanced Côtes du Rhône, enjoyed with steak frites at STK restaurant in Boston — 6 months ago

Nagib Nasr

9.0

Amazing Gicondas — 6 months ago

Dick Schinkel

9.3

From Magnum!
First vintage ! — 9 months ago