Critics Ratings

Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998
‘Pale ruby – first pour very clear. Very pale rim. Light but warm, slightly charred nose with the merest hint of gaminess. Clearly tertiary aromas. Very sweet palate entry. Utterly charming and no shortage of fruit. Very long and throat-soothing (which I desperately need). Planned to accompany grouse with Ch Rayas 2005. A very good bottle.’ – Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Sep 2019)

'The atypically Grenache-dominated 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape is fully mature and gives up tons of kirsch, garrigue, licorice and a touch of gaminess in its full-bodied, layered and ripe personality. More rounded and sexy than most vintages, it has no hard edges, plenty of mid-palate depth and a great finish. I see no reason to delay gratification, but it will certainly hold for 5-10 years.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Aug 2015)

‘Very youthful, with a juicy blast of red plum and fig fruit flavors on a racy frame, this also has plenty of spice, tar, plum cake and mineral in reserve, as the finish shows more structure and slowly darkens with time in the glass. Only just starting to hit its stride. Drink now through 2027.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Sep 2007)

‘Saturated ruby-red. Superripe but reticent, grenache-dominated aromas of roasted plum, cherry jam, tar and humus. Fat, lush and stuffed with fruit; almost heavy today compared to the '99. But this is utterly silky and its firm underlying structure is buried by fruit and baby fat. Intriguing meat and licorice notes. A wine of superb finesse and superfine tannins.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 93/100 (Jan 2001)

Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1999
‘Full ruby. Highly complex nose combines black fruits, gibier, truffle, road tar, licorice and leather. Very intense and spicy, but still tightly wound, with a firm acid spine keeping the flavors under wraps. "Very interior wine today," notes Perrin. But one already senses the incipient complexity. Finishes with building tannins, a note of caramel and terrific persistence. This will need time.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 92+/100 (Jan 2002)

‘The prodigious 1999 Beaucastel boasts aromas of blackberry fruit intermixed with cassis, licorice, roasted meats, leather, and truffles. While it does not possess much fat or precociousness, it displays definition and elegance. This is a full-bodied, concentrated, classic Beaucastel. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.’ – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Dec 2001)

‘Like some '99s, it's a bit leaner than the '00s or '98s, but it's well-made, with youthful exuberance of ripe fruit, toasted oak, grilled meat, smoked chestnuts and blood orange, ironlike notes.’ – Wine Spectator, 90/100 (Aug 2002)

Provenance

Private Client