Critics Ratings

Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998
‘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)

'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)

‘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)

‘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)

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)

Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2000

‘The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape offers a profoundly sweet perfume of melted licorice, blackberries, and black cherries backed up by loads of glycerin, full body, and moderately high but sweet, well-integrated tannin. There is a seamlessness to the 2000 that will make it accessible early in life, and thus atypical for Beaucastel. The 1985 behaved in this manner when young, but the 2000 possesses even more stuffing. Like its 2001 sibling, it is a classic blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the balance other permitted varietals. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.’ – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Feb 2003)

‘Red-ruby. Roasted aromas of black fruits, leather, maple syrup and mocha. Initially a bit tight on the palate, but showed a lush, seamless texture as it opened in the glass, without losing its definition. Not quite as dense as the 2001 but very full in the mouth, with a higher-pH impression. Finishes very long, with the ripe tannins coating the front teeth.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 93/100 (Jan 2003)

‘Clean and fresh, bursting with fruit and spices. Full-bodied, it delivers some game, truffle, vanilla notes. It's distinctive and ought to reveal wonderful terroir with age, but for now it hasn't come together. Needs time. Drink now through 2020.’ – Wine Spectator, 90/100 (Aug 2003)

Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2001

‘Beaucastel has been on a terrific qualitative roll over the last four vintages, and the 2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a 15,000-case blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the balance split among the other permitted varietals of the appellation. This inky/ruby/purple-colored cuvee offers a classic Beaucastel bouquet of new saddle leather, cigar smoke, roasted herbs, black truffles, underbrush, and blackberry as well as cherry fruit. It is a superb, earthy expression of this Mourvèdre-dominated cuvée. Full-bodied and powerful, it will undoubtedly close down over the next several years, not to re-emerge for 7-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025.’ - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Feb 2004)

‘This has fleshed out nicely, beginning to show secondary notes, with mesquite, incense and black tea now emerging from the fleshy, bundled core of plum sauce, cassis and blackberry preserves flavours. A dark tarry note on the finish is offset nicely by a mouthwatering sanguine hint.’- James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Nov 2011)

Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007

Beaucastel’s 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape has turned out even better out of bottle than I predicted. An inky/ruby/purple color is followed by a glorious nose of blue and black fruits, truffles, pen ink, licorice, and meat juices as well as glorious levels of acidity and sweet tannin, buttressing the fruit’s fabulous freshness and vibrancy. This full-bodied effort still displays considerable tannin, no doubt because of the relatively high Mourvedre content. It should resolve its tannins in 2-4 years, and last for 25 or more.’ – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Oct 2009)

‘This extremely dense red delivers layers of melted fig, mulled boysenberry and black currant fruit, all laced with notes of charred mesquite, hoisin sauce and Kenya AA coffee. The long, silky mouthfeel belies the latent power in reserve—and there's a lot of it, with waves of grip driving the finish. Best from 2010 through 2030.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Dec 2009)

‘Deep ruby. Powerful, pungent aromas evoke kirsch, blackberry, smoky herbs and dried flowers. Energetic, penetrating cherry and dark berry flavors are enlivened by juicy acidity and given spine by a tangy mineral quality. A floral quality sneaks in with air, along with notes of allspice and star anise. The finish is sappy, focused and very long, with herbs and flowers lingering.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 94/100 (Jan 2010)

Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010

‘This is a gorgeous wine, a classic blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise and the balance, the other permitted varietals in the appellation. Deep purple, with loads of bouquet garni, beef blood, blackberry, kirsch, smoke and truffle, this wine is full-bodied, rich and showing even better than it did last year. I still think it needs 3-5 years of cellaring, and it should last for 25-30 years, as most of the top vintages of Beaucastel do.’ - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Oct 2012)

‘According to François Perrin this was the perfect year, with rain at the perfect time and an Indian summer in September. This is so graceful, with blackberry aromas and black olive notes. It’s fleshy and expressive, with no lack of grip and tension. The fruit profile on the palate mirrors that on the nose. This masterpiece is vivid and harmonious with a chalky acidity and remarkable length. One to forget in the cellar for at least two decades.’ - Christelle Guibert, Decanter, 97/100 (Nov 2017)

Provenance

Private Client