Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017

Situated right at the Northern, Mistral wind-dominated limit of Châteauneuf-du-Pape lies Château de Beaucastel. Organically growing all thirteen varieties permitted in CNDP since the 1960's, the fifth-generation Perrin family produce stunning examples of one of Europe's most revered appellation wines. A fantastic wine, this 1998 has been expertly aged and stored, adding irresistible tertiary characteristics alongside all the full-bodied, earthy delight one expects from top-tier CNDP.

94+/100 - Now that it's in the bottle, Beaucastel's 2017 CNDP comes across as full-bodied and rich, but also a bit shut down and reticent on the nose. With air, black olives and asphalt give way to black cherries and briery spice notes, backed by velvety but substantial tannins and a long, richly textured finish. Given a few years in cellar, I have no doubt this will drink well for the next 15-plus years. - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

94/100 - Saturated ruby. Displays aromas or ripe, spice-tinged blueberry, cherry and blackberry, along with building suggestions of game, potpourri, and sandalwood. Offers concentrated black and blue fruit, exotic spice, licorice, and floral pastille flavors that show unlikely energy for their heft. Dusty tannins build through a very long, smoky finish that strongly echoes that dark berry and floral notes. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous

95/100 - At Beaucastel the Grenache and Cinsault are fermented in cement while the Syrah and Mourvèdre are fermented in foudre. The result features finely pixellated fruits of the forest on the nose, with a full-bodied but mightily fresh and lively palate. The Mourvèdre element is strong this year, bringing vibrancy and power. It's firmly savoury, very dry and dramatic. A very tannic year has produced a seriously structured Beaucastel for the long term. - Matt Walls, Decanter