Presentation
Presentation
Considered as one of the greatest white wines in France, only 6000 bottles of this wine are produced. It's made with 100% very old Roussanne vines and harvested slightly over ripe. This exceptional wine must be drunk within 3 years or after 15 years. To be enjoyed with gastronomic cuisine.
The vintage
The vintage started with a long winter and one of the driest ones in the past years followed by an inexistent Spring. The crop development was very slow due to important climatic variations. The winemakers’ work was therefore crucial to get good quality grapes in small quantities. 2013 was a complicated vintage and late but is wonderfully balanced and is very promising.
Location
Château de Beaucastel has 7 hectares planted with white varieties.
Terroir
Molasse seabed of the Miocene period covered by diluvial alpine deposits (rolled pebbles).
Ageing
The grapes are hand picked in small cases and sorted, pneumatically pressed. Settling of the juices and fermentation (30% in oak, 70% tanks). Bottled after 8 months.
Varietal
Roussanne : 100%
Advice
Serving
14°C in tasting glasses.
Tasting
Beautiful golden color.
The nose is slightly woody with an explosion of honey, peaches, exotic fruit and an exceptional richness and intensity.
The mouth has a remarkable texture, thick but fresh. We find notes of white flowers and honeysuckle, lavender, honey and orange zest. The balance is perfect especially with the minerality, coming from the limestone, which gives this wine a great texture. A great vintage of Roussanne Vieilles Vignes.
The nose is slightly woody with an explosion of honey, peaches, exotic fruit and an exceptional richness and intensity.
The mouth has a remarkable texture, thick but fresh. We find notes of white flowers and honeysuckle, lavender, honey and orange zest. The balance is perfect especially with the minerality, coming from the limestone, which gives this wine a great texture. A great vintage of Roussanne Vieilles Vignes.
Reviews
"Similar in color to the classic white, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is deeper and richer, with more viscosity, glycerin and minerality. Loaded with notes of buttered citrus, flowers, orange marmalade and crushed-rock nuances, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied power, juicy, lively acidity and terrific length. Like the classic white, this does not go through malolactic
fermentation, but sees slightly more oak (some new) in its élevage, which always gives it slightly more richness, as well as hints of vanilla in its youth. It’s unquestionably the greatest white wine coming from the Southern Rhône, and while I prefer to drink it in its first 4-6 years, it can evolve for decades."
fermentation, but sees slightly more oak (some new) in its élevage, which always gives it slightly more richness, as well as hints of vanilla in its youth. It’s unquestionably the greatest white wine coming from the Southern Rhône, and while I prefer to drink it in its first 4-6 years, it can evolve for decades."
"Ripe and bright, with gorgeous creamed peach, pear and ginger notes forming the core, while verbena, chamomile and honeysuckle accents create the frame. Lush through the finish, where a light salted butter hint emerges."
"2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes (aged in a 50/50 blend of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels for eight months): Light, vivid gold. Intensely perfumed aromas of poached pear, orange, candied fig and jasmine slowly acquire a hint of fennel. Smooth, sappy and expansive on the palate, offering rich, mineral-laced orchard fruit and pit fruit flavors that show a suave blend of richness and energy. Finishes very long and sappy, displaying excellent clarity and building mineral and floral notes."
