Presentation
Presentation
Château de Beaucastel has long been considered one of the great wines of France. It is unanimously renowned for its balance, elegance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an extraordinary terroir at the Northern end of the appellation with heavy exposure to the Mistral. All 13 varieties of the appellation have been organically grown here since the sixties.
The vintage
A great vintage spared by the drought.
Location
Châteauneuf du Pape, between Orange and Avignon, Château de Beaucastel red is a 70-hectare vineyard.
Terroir
Château de Beaucastel is 110 hectares, with one single plot at the north of the appellation. The terroir is archetypal of the best terroirs in Châteauneuf: rolled pebbles on the surface, sand, clay and limestone deeper down. The vines are old and have been organically grown for 50 years, which has allowed the roots to grow exceptionally deep.
Beaucastel grows all thirteen grape varieties authorised by the appellation.
Beaucastel grows all thirteen grape varieties authorised by the appellation.
Ageing
Each variety is harvested manually and separately. Vinification is completed in truncated oak barrels for the reductive grapes (Mourvèdre and Syrah) and in traditional tiled cement tanks for the oxidative grapes (such as Grenache). After the malolactic fermentations, the family blends the different varieties and then the wine ages in oak Foudres for a year before being bottled.
Varietals
Grenache noir : 30%
Mourvèdre : 30%
Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne : 15%
Syrah : 10%
Counoise : 10%
Cinsault : 5%
Mourvèdre : 30%
Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne : 15%
Syrah : 10%
Counoise : 10%
Cinsault : 5%
Advice
Serving
15°C and if possible decant before serving.
Tasting
A beautiful red colour.
The nose is deep and complex, a hint of iodine, rich in exotic fruit with oriental spices.
The mouth is suave and elegant without any astringency.
To be cellared while it softens.
The nose is deep and complex, a hint of iodine, rich in exotic fruit with oriental spices.
The mouth is suave and elegant without any astringency.
To be cellared while it softens.
Reviews
"Still incredibly youthful and a touch reserved (especially when compared to the ‟00), the 2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape still needs another 5 years to truly shine. At present, it delivers a dense, pure bouquet of meaty dark fruits, game, ripe herb, and licorice, medium to full -body, brilliant concentration, and a long, classic finish. This gradually opens in the glass so if drinking anytime soon, a short decant or longer double decant is recommended."
"A monumental, impressive wine that is only starting to shed its primary character. A bit like the 1990, though slightly “cleaner” tasting and, if anything, even more intensely flavored. Should be great."
"Ripe and fleshy, with lots of black cherry, plum, anise and tar flavors riding along a succulent palate. Sweet and velvety on the finish; this is drinkable now but will age easily"
"Beaucastel has been on a terrific qualitative roll over the last four vintages, and the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape (which Francois Perrin feels is similar to the 1990, although I don’t see that as of yet) is a 15,000-case blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 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 Mourvedre-dominated cuvee. Full-bodied and powerful, it will undoubtedly close down over the next several years, not to re-emerge for 7-8 years."
"Quelle fraîcheur pour ce 2001, produit de l'agriculture biologique ! La robe est d'un rouge franc avec des nuances violines. Le nez est jeune avec des parfums de fruits frais et de cuir qui s'harmonisent bien. Le fruit (fraise, cerise) se retrouve en bouche sur une très belle base tannique. Un bon équilibre, de la chaleur et une note vanillée composent une bouteille à conserver une décennie."
"Much more developed than the 2005. A lot more undergrowth and leather and tertiary characters. Very leathery on the palate but not at all lean. No primary fruit remaining but the fruit flesh is still there. And the tannins still surprisingly present. "
"Medium to dark ruby in color this wine smells of wet stones, bright cherry and raspberry fruit, with a hint of woody forest floor and dried flowers. In the mouth muscular, but supple tannins wrap around a core of cherry and raspberry fruit scented with cedar and crushed green herbs. Gorgeously balanced, with mineral and earth on the one side, and bright juicy acid and fruit on the other. Long finish, outstanding purity. Wow."
"A very aromatic nose and a beautiful balance between freshness and spices. This wine can be drunk now but will also gain if you wait a few more years.
Stand the bottle upright 48 hours before serving to avoid any deposit.
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Stand the bottle upright 48 hours before serving to avoid any deposit.
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"An enjoyable nose with complex aromas of red fruit, spices and garrigue along with subtle notes of truffles.
A pretty ample and balanced palate, together with tannins of great finesse that show a beautiful length, representative of this great vintage.
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A pretty ample and balanced palate, together with tannins of great finesse that show a beautiful length, representative of this great vintage.
"
"A very nice nose distinguishes this vintage, all in finesse. On the palate this wine shows great complexity, perfect balance between freshness and powerful ripe fruit, softened by very round tannins. An elegant wine which can be enjoyed now."
