Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2017

Presentation

Presentation
The production of white wine at Beaucastel is limited as we only have 7 hectares of white vines planted. The main variety is Roussanne, representing 80% of the blend.
The vintage
This 2017 vintage will be remembered as the year of all records: the driest year in 30 years, non-interventionist vineyard work, optimal harvest conditions, a very small yield due to climatic hazards, and wines with very rich potential.
Location
Château de Beaucastel has 7 hectares of white varieties.
Terroir
Molasse seabed of the Miocene period covered by diluvial alpine deposits (rolled pebbles).
Ageing
Handpicked in small cases, sorting of the grapes, pneumatic pressing, settling of the juice, fermentation (30% in oak barrels, 70% in tanks) for 8 months. Bottling after 8 months.
Varietals
Roussanne : 80%
Grenache blanc : 15%
Picardan, Clairette, Bourboulenc : 5%

Advice

Serving
10°C in INAO glasses.
Tasting
On the nose, this wine reveals hints of candied ginger and grapefruit zest. Ample and complex on the palate, it develops aromas of apricot and mango before a long lingering finish enhanced by a delicate bitterness.

Reviews

93/100
"The anchor grape, Roussanne (80 per cent of the blend) is working well here, holding the acidity nicely. This has waxy, apple and lemon aromas with some pear perfume, too. Crisp, pear flavors on the gently creamy, elegant and open-knit palate. Delicately crisp. Drink or hold."
93-95/100
"The 2017 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is another brilliant white from this team that hasn’t put a foot wrong in the past decade or more. Buttered citrus, honeysuckle, flower oil, and white flowers all flow to this rich, beautifully layered, fresh and vibrant white that’s impeccably balanced. Scheduled to be bottled shortly after my visit, it’s unquestionably another great vintage for this wine."
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94/100
"Impossibly fresh, this has the immense power of roussanne with hints of praline and some dried honey, lemon and apple notes, as well as fresh, lightly toasted almonds and pears. The palate has a super bright, intense and perfectly seamless feel with a wealth of melon and apples and some brulee at the finish. Drink now."
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