2020 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape

About the Wine

"It shows the fresh, elegant, yet still nicely concentrated style of the vintage and is unquestionably another impressive, classic vintage for this cuvée. It should offer some pleasure in its youth as well as evolve for 20+ years in cold cellars." ~Jeb Dunnuck.

Château de Beaucastel is recognized among some of the greatest wine estates in France. This estate has been producing award-winning, impeccable, and elegant CDPs since its early beginnings. 

Located right in the heart of the Rhone Valley, this worldwide recognized winery dates to the 16^th century, when in 1549, Pierre de Beaucastel acquired the land. Today, this winery is led by the 5^th generation of the Perrin family, Jean-Pierre, François, and their sons. Since its inception, Beaucastel’s mantra remains: “Absolute respect for land and terroir, biodynamic culture as a philosophy of life, the research of truth, balance and elegance.”

This winery comprises more than 300 acres of which 240 are plated with the 13 grapes to produce the emblematic CDP blend. All these vines, of average 50-year-old age, are planted in an extremely blessed terroir, with rolled pebbles on the surface, sand, clay, and limestone deeper down. The vineyard has been managed with sustainable and organic practices since its beginnings, and in 1974 the estate was converted into a fully biodynamic. Decanter Magazine said, “The Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainable viticulture.” 

This wine is born in what appears to be an amazing vintage. Decanter said, “the best terroirs really shined, producing athletic, elegant wines of intensity and panache.”

Aging: The blend is then aged in oak foudres for a year before being bottled.

Tasting Notes

30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 10% Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, 10% Roussanne, 5% Cinsault. The nose is rich and complex but very fresh, with an opulent aromatic bouquet dominated by notes of fresh fruit and spices. Full-bodied, soft, and eminently silky, this very elegant wine reveals a superb, dense structure on the palate, very fine tannins, and gourmet aromas of fresh red fruit, currants, and noble spices. The finish has great length, ample and harmonious. A fruity vintage with great aging potential.

Critical Reviews

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. ~97 Points, James Suckling. 

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. ~95-97 Points, Robert Parker.

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. ~96 Points, Decanter.

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape has lots of Mourvèdre character in its bright red and blue fruits as well as spice, pepper, and assorted meaty nuances. With medium to full-bodied richness on the palate, it shows the fresh, elegant, yet still nicely concentrated style of the vintage and is unquestionably another impressive, classic vintage for this cuvée. It should offer some pleasure in its youth as well as evolve for 20+ years in cold cellars. ~93-95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck.

***Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles of This Wine***