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 difficult vintage.
Heavy rain and cold weather during the harvest.
Heavy rain and cold weather during the harvest.
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 blend the different varieties and then the wine ages in oak Foudres for a year before being bottled.
Varietals
Grenache : 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 tile-red colour with beautiful tints of red.
The nose is discreet with notes of bay leaves, caramel and leather.
Very elegant mouth with a dense texture and notes of leather. This is a full bodied wine.
Decant just before serving.
Ready to drink now.
The nose is discreet with notes of bay leaves, caramel and leather.
Very elegant mouth with a dense texture and notes of leather. This is a full bodied wine.
Decant just before serving.
Ready to drink now.
Reviews
"A light, elegant version of Châteauneuf, with interesting leather and earth aromas, bright cherry and blackberry flavors and a lingering finish."
"I was impressed with the 1992 Beaucastel, which is significantly richer and more complete than the narrowly constructed, herbaceous, compact 1991. The 1992 boasts a smoky, earthy, peppery, cassis-scented nose, rich, full-bodied flavors, excellent depth, moderate tannin, and a sweet, chewy, impressive finish. Its firmness suggests 3-4 years of cellaring is necessary; it should keep for 20 years.
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"A vintage ready to drink now. Oriental notes and nougat flavours. This wine has characteristics of a warm year and will go very well with spicy dishes.
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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"This 1992 is characterized by its great freshness. A pleasant surprise for this small vintage, very subtle. The volume is moderate, balanced, young. This wine will reveal all its best assets today. Serve without decanting."
