2007 chateau de beaucastel rouge, chateauneuf-du-pape
Why We're Buying
Chateau de Beaucastel isn't just one of the great wineries in the Rhône Valley. It's one of the great wineries in France. The starring attraction is its Rouge Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a red wine that contains 13 grape varieties and a higher-than-usual percentage of mourvèdre.
Critics Scores
Wine Enthusiast
At first glance, this is not particularly impressive; it's slightly herbal and rustic, with a raisiny edge to the fruit. But this really improves with air, fleshing out on the midpalate and losing the raisiny notes in favor of plum and savory notes. Give it four or five years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15 or so.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
Wine Spectator
Layers of melted fig, mulled boysenberry and black currant fruit are laced with notes of charred mesquite, hoisin sauce and coffee. The long, silky mouthfeel belies the latent power in reserve. Best from 2010 through 2030.