Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Served to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a slightly orange rim. Medium+ viscosity and some moderate staining of the tears. There appears to be some sign of sediment as well. On the nose, the wine was intense with notes of dark cherries, a mix of red and black bramble fruits, licorice, some leather and dried gravelly earth. I don’t detect any use of barrique but maybe some large format oak. This has an old world nose to it that was really lovely. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose and while the fruit had some power, it came in a body that was pretty fit and tidy. Alcohol is medium+. The finish is long and had some stoney minerals too. I called Brunello di Montalcino from a warmer vintage like 2009. Whoa…2007 Beaucastel! Damn, they hit so different than most other CdP’s. So much more restrained! But now that it has been revealed and I’ve allowed more time for it to breathe in my glass, I totally get its sense of place. One of my big takeaways is that I need more experience with these wines, particularly with age because that’s when they become more interesting to me. This is drinking well now but I expect it will continue to do so through 2032 with ease.

One of the best Beaucastel vintages I’ve had. Great now, better in 30.

Corked - but not badly enough to tip down the sink. From my cellar - the previous 2 bottles have been excellent. The telltale nose of wet cardboard, however the palate is largely unaffected with opulent sweet red fruits with earthy nuances and quite delicious. If I was in a restaurant I would have sent it back, particularly given what they charge for wines like this. A pity because Beaucastel is a wonderful winery in CdP - a favourite district.

2007 vintage. Aged well, mellow, funk on the nose, still plenty of fruit - prune, dried cherry, earth. Great with beef brisket

What else can I say than this has all the mature character that make Beaucastel great and truly captures the 2007 vintage so well. Ripe, richly textured, suave and integrated tannins mingle with rich leathery fruit and baked stone minerality. This is truly pleasing and one cannot feel but a wholesome and nourishing feeling while drinking. Easily out shined pan-roasted bone in rib eyes with harrissa rubbed leeks and taters.

Deep Ruby in colour - quite dense. On the palate opulent red fruits and some blackberry - full bodied, concentrated and latent, with much more to give. Lucky enough to have had a visit and tasting at the winery 4 years ago where we were told, because of climate change they are increasing the Mourvèdre component in the blend because of its better suitability to hot conditions. This has developed to the stage where the 2017 Hommage just released is “nearly all Mourvèdre “ I read recently. Quite earthy with a little tar. One of my favourite producers in a good vintage still with a 10 year future at least.

Oxidized but delicious. Raisin sweet, earthy nose, and with the aged southern rhone influence this is drinking almost like a PX sherry or a moscatel. Palate is stewed date, apple, walnut — haroset! Still providing pleasure but don’t wait on this. From 375ml.

Dense and concentrated aromas of Prune, ripe plum and earth. Ripe and generous on the palate - very pruney with earth and a hint of tar on the Medium plus intensity palate. Gives more on the palate than the nose which requires vigorous swirling. I think I will leave my final bottle for 3 or 4 years. Have always been a huge fan of Chateauneuf du Pape and was fortunate to visit Beaucastel with the family for a private tasting several years ago where I learnt that because of warmer conditions the blend is now more Mourvèdre dominant than Grenache.

2007 Chateau de Beaucastel- The 2007 Chateau Beaucastel is deftly walking the tightrope between primary and tertiary tones at the moment. Aromatically profound, the wine immediately unveils layers of black fruits woven together with shades of white truffle crudo, black peppercorns and Earl Grey tea that take shape in the glass. Showing brilliant verve and freshness, the palate has great depth of concentration, power and range. Blackberry compote and black licorice flavors combine with lighter red raspberry, damp earth and Provencale herb accents on this expressive palate. The long finish marvelously accentuates this beautiful wine. Marvelous now at the thirteen year mark, the 2007 Chateau Beaucastel has many years of drinking enjoyment ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95

*didn’t take notes