Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape 2009

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 92-95 points - "The 2009 Beaucastel exhibits an opaque purple colour as well as sweet aromas of camphor, truffles, black cherries, blackcurrants, liquorice, pepper and forest floor. The wine is full-bodied, rich, intense and powerful ... Because of the significant tannins, the 2009 requires 3-5 years of bottle age and should evolve for 25-30 years."

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 96 points - Extremely dense, with layer upon layer of melted fig, mulled boysenberryand blackcurrant fruit, all laced with notes of charred mesquite, hoisin sauce and Kenya AA coffee. The long, silky mouthfeel belies the latent power in reserve - and there's a lot of it, with waves of grip driving the finish."
Drink 2015 - 2040.
(Note: limited stock)

Beaucastel is regarded by many as Châteauneuf du Pape’s top producer. And yet it is atypical for the appellation: of all the region’s estates, Beaucastel is one of just three to plant and vinify all thirteen grape varieties permitted under appellation regulations. Whereas others lean heavily on Grenache, Beaucastel uses a high proportion of Mourvèdre.