2007 Chateau Beaucastel

"To make a wine of character, grapes must have distinctive flavor. All that we do or do not do in the vineyard is motivated by this consideration." Chateau Beaucastel

Chateau Beaucastel is regarded as one of the greatest estates of the Southern Rhone. "I have been visiting this estate for nearly thirty years, and over that time I have seen all the elements of what makes wines great – an incredible respect for the vineyards, a conscientious, uncompromising work ethic, and extraordinary passion for gentle handling of fruit from their sites." Robert Parker

Owned by the Perrin family since the beginning of the 20th century, the estate is now in the hands of the fifth generation. Beaucastel was one of the first to adopt an organic approach in the vineyard as early as the 1970s and continue their meticulous organic vineyard management today. Their estate is planted out to all of the 13 varietal permitted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and is one of the very few that use all in their cuvee. They strive for low yields from their aged vines – the average vine age on their 272 acres is 50 years, some being as old as 90. At the time of vintage, the fruit is hand harvested, very carefully sorted as it arrives at the cellar, de-stemmed, crushed and then goes straight to barrel. Each varietal is vinified separately and painstakingly blended after fermentation has completed. Unlike other producers, Mouvedre makes up a considerable component of this blend. Interestingly (and, to some, seemingly contradictory to their conscientious campaign of non-intervationalism in every other facet of the wine-making process), the Perrins employ a practice of heating the grapes to 80 degrees celsius upon entering the winery. Allegedly, this improves the extraction of colour and flavour, slows fermentation and prevents oxidatistion (hense minimal use of sulphur is required). This is an excellent source of some of the most interesting and finest Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and is keen sought out upon release every year.

 

This offer will be no exception as we unveil the outstanding 2007 vintage, a wine that will surely be on every connoisseur's wish list.

2007 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-Du-Pape

Retail Price $192 | Offer Price $160

"Beaucastel’s 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape has turned out even better out of bottle than I predicted. An inky/ruby/purple color is followed by a glorious nose of blue and black fruits, truffles, pen ink, licorice, and meat juices as well as glorious levels of acidity and sweet tannin, buttressing the fruit’s fabulous freshness and vibrancy. This full-bodied effort still displays considerable tannin, no doubt because of the relatively high Mourvedre content. It should resolve its tannins in 2-4 years, and last for 25 or more. 96 points” Robert Parker, the Wine Advocate