Another excellent vintage from the Perrin Family, Beaucastel, is one of the most recognized names in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been the region's measuring stick for many years. The estate has been on a roll the past few vintages, and 2020 looks like an outstanding bottle for the category. Sourcing from one 110-hectare plot, the vines here have been organically grown for over 50 years and are grown on textbook CDP terroir with rolled pebbles on the surface, sand, clay, and limestone deeper down. All 13 accepted varietals in this massive vineyard are grown, harvested separately, and vinified alone. Syrah and Mourvedre see oak fermentation, while the others go into enameled concrete and are only blended after fermentation. The final blend for 2019 came to Grenache 30%, Mourvèdre 30%, Syrah 15%, Counoise 10%, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne 10%, and Cinsault 5%. The blend is then aged in foudre for one year before bottling. While the weather in 2020 wasn't as extreme as in 2019 the temperatures still got warm and made for an earlier harvest, but the cool nights and nourishing rains before the summer helped the wines retain balance and should be a slightly more classic vintage. We have friendly pricing today on this top Chateauneuf du Pape, and it is a brilliant showing from this top address.
James Suckling 97 points! "Very dense black-fruit aromas, but also licorice, an entire microcosm of spice and a whiff of smoked bacon. Very dense and meaty with an incredible tannin structure that enables this to be simultaneously very big and elegant. Super-long finish with enormous mineral freshness. Drink or hold. (3/21/22)"
Decanter 96 points! "Fresh and bright nose, then a palate with exceptionally smooth and fine tannins, lovely acidity and notes of blackberry and raspberry juice. Particularly fine, elegant and balanced this year. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudre."
Wine Advocate (Joe Czerwinski) 95-97 points! "Beaucastel's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is shaping up as a blend of 30% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% each Counoise and Syrah, plus 20% other permitted varieties, including a healthy proportion of white grapes. Complex and red-fruited, with hints of flowers and garrigue, it's expansive and richly textured on the palate, finishing long and silky."
2020 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Another excellent vintage from the Perrin Family, Beaucastel, is one of the most recognized names in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been the region's measuring stick for many years. The estate has been on a roll the past few vintages, and 2020 looks like an outstanding bottle for the category. Sourcing from one 110-hectare plot, the vines here have been organically grown for over 50 years and are grown on textbook CDP terroir with rolled pebbles on the surface, sand, clay, and limestone deeper down. All 13 accepted varietals in this massive vineyard are grown, harvested separately, and vinified alone. Syrah and Mourvedre see oak fermentation, while the others go into enameled concrete and are only blended after fermentation. The final blend for 2019 came to Grenache 30%, Mourvèdre 30%, Syrah 15%, Counoise 10%, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne 10%, and Cinsault 5%. The blend is then aged in foudre for one year before bottling. While the weather in 2020 wasn't as extreme as in 2019 the temperatures still got warm and made for an earlier harvest, but the cool nights and nourishing rains before the summer helped the wines retain balance and should be a slightly more classic vintage. We have friendly pricing today on this top Chateauneuf du Pape, and it is a brilliant showing from this top address.
James Suckling 97 points! "Very dense black-fruit aromas, but also licorice, an entire microcosm of spice and a whiff of smoked bacon. Very dense and meaty with an incredible tannin structure that enables this to be simultaneously very big and elegant. Super-long finish with enormous mineral freshness. Drink or hold. (3/21/22)"
Decanter 96 points! "Fresh and bright nose, then a palate with exceptionally smooth and fine tannins, lovely acidity and notes of blackberry and raspberry juice. Particularly fine, elegant and balanced this year. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudre."
Wine Advocate (Joe Czerwinski) 95-97 points! "Beaucastel's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is shaping up as a blend of 30% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% each Counoise and Syrah, plus 20% other permitted varieties, including a healthy proportion of white grapes. Complex and red-fruited, with hints of flowers and garrigue, it's expansive and richly textured on the palate, finishing long and silky."
