2023 is the current release for Château de Beaucastel's Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and we were very impressed after tasting it yesterday. It is a classic rendition of one of the appellation’s benchmark wines, drawn from Beaucastel’s historic northern-sector estate of rolled pebbles, sand, clay, and limestone, with old organically farmed vines and the full complement of all thirteen permitted varieties in the blend. 2023 brought ripe but balanced fruit, with excellent freshness, and it shows with this vintage, combining the wine’s customary depth and structure with more lift and harmony than the warmth of the season might suggest. Though not featuring as much grenache this year, this Mourvèdre-led vintage offers dark berry fruit, violet, spice, garrigue, and stony mineral notes, with a dense, silky palate and the kind of length and aging potential that have made Beaucastel one of the enduring reference points of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

James Suckling 97 points! "Dense licorice and forest berry aromas mask the deep tannin structure of this Chateauneuf-du-Pape masterpiece. Full-bodied but with a lightness of touch. Then the power and stony intensity pour over you in a giant wave. The freshness is extraordinary for this hot and dry vintage. Serious tannins in the very long, compact and refined finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2027. (Apr 2025)"

Decanter (Matt Walls) 96 points! "A tasting of the constituent parts this year, so this is a provisional score. The Terret Noir, Muscardin and Vaccarèse were fermented together; they provide the more fragrant top notes, bright and attractive if not deep. The Cinsault was perfumed and fresh, with fine tannins. The Counoise was more savoury, with more depth and tannin; tense and saline, and spicy thanks to 50% whole-bunch fermentation. The Grenache was soft and supple, fairly dark in colour, quite structured, with impressive freshness, tannins and acidity. The Syrah was deep, intense, black-fruited and peppery – quite potent in alcohol, with intense tannins. The Mourvèdre will be 30% of the blend, contributing mouthcoating, deep and succulent tannins, plenty of flesh and quite high alcohol. The overall impression is a deliciously rich and ripe Beaucastel, not as structured as the 2022, that is likely to score around 95-96 once blended and bottled."

Jeb Dunnuck 96 points! "The estate lost some Grenache due to shatter, so the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape is based on 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 10% Counoise, 10% Syrah, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. It was all destemmed except for the Syrah and brought up in foudre. The higher Mourvèdre component gives it a more serious, focused style than most in the vintage, and it has darker blackberry fruits intermixed with roasted herbs, spring flowers, violets, and some meaty nuances on the nose. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a deep, pure, layered mouthfeel, it has ripe, velvety, yet building tannins and a great finish. Another beautiful vintage for this cuvée, it has the approachable style of the vintage yet brings more than enough density and concentration to evolve for 30 years."

Southern Rhone

2023 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

1989 Château La Nerthe Cdp Cuvee Cadettes 1.5L

1989 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet

2023 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

1989 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin

2009 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pignan Reserve