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
2021 is a vintage marked by freshness, which is similar to the vintages we had in the eighties and nineties. It is also what we call a "winegrower vintage", human intervention and the care given to the vines were decisive for the quality of the vintage. Marked by climatic vagaries, with an episode of frost in April and interrupted harvest because of rain, this year has indeed required constant investment from our teams in the vineyard. Their attention and their commitment have borne their fruit: this vintage is very promising with lots of freshness and great balance.
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%
Grenache blanc : 15%
Picardan, Clairette, Bourboulenc : 5%
Specifications
Advice
Serving
10°C in INAO glasses.
Tasting
Magnificent shiny gold-colour. Typical of white Beaucastel, the nose opens with a superb intense and complex aromatic bouquet with aromas of fresh fruit such as peaches subtly mixed with delicate floral notes of honeysuckle and verbena. Very elegant on the palate, it offers a nice bitterness on the attack, before revealing its silky, supple and refined texture and its aromas that are both fine and powerful, the finish is long with a delicate saline note.
Reviews
"Wonderful nose of orange blossom, melon, and ripe stone fruit, then very creamy and silky on the concentrated and refined palate. Very delicious for a dry white of this stature, tasted from the barrel! 100% Roussanne from 50 to 60-year-old vines. From organically grown grapes."
"Honeycomb oak on the nose, then quite a broad and generous palate. Sappy acidity, although not as high as some white Châteauneufs this year, and a long finish. This has a good sense of lightness, drinkability and balance. The oak is quite forthright for now, so give this some time to come together. 80% Roussanne, 10% Grenache and Clairette, plus 10% of Piquepoul Blanc, Picardan and Bourboulenc. Part of the blend was matured in two- and three-year-old barriques for a year."
"Mostly Roussanne bought up in equal parts once- and twice-used barrels, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is a thrilling white that, quite frankly, seems to be almost as good as the Roussanne Vieilles Vignes release at this stage. Exotic honeyed flowers, citrus, orange blossom, white peach, and chalky minerality all define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, layered mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great, great finish." [+]
"Savory and intensely mineral-driven, with wet stone, flint and salty mineral notes overlaying a core of lemon peel and fresh apple. Builds in richness on the round palate, with a waft of smoke moving through. Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc."
