Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2022

Complex and Impressive Organically Farmed  Chateauneuf-du-Pape

"Incredibly juicy nose – black tea, leather and spiced notes as well. The palate is rounded, sleek and plush. There is so much density on the palate. Supple mid palate and a meaty note on the rich finish. There is good, fresh acidity here as well, with a weightiness to the palate but balanced by the fresh acidity. Complex and impressive!"
-Jancis Robinson 

• Blend of  30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 15% Cinsault
• Aged 12 months in French oak
• Jancis Robinson 17.5/20 Pts
• Decanter 96/100 Pts
• James Suckling 97/100 Pts

STORY BEHIND THE WINE

Château de Beaucastel has long been regarded as one of the greatest wines in France, renowned for its elegance, balance, and remarkable ageing potential. Located at the northern limit of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and exposed to the Mistral wind, Beaucastel benefits from an exceptional terroir. The estate spans 110 hectares in a single plot characterized by the region's finest soils - rolled pebbles on the surface with sand, clay, and limestone beneath. With vines that are old and organically grown for over 50 years, the roots have reached impressive depths. Beaucastel also uniquely cultivates all thirteen grape varieties authorized by the appellation, further contributing to its distinctive quality and complexity.

The 2022 vintage experienced contrasting climatic hazards which allowed to offer good quality grapes and a very promising aromatic complexity, with however a heterogeneous volume depending on the plots. Winter and spring were particularly mild and very dry, with the months of January and May proving to be the driest since the start of the 20th century, with record temperatures in May and June. These conditions allowed to maintain an excellent sanitary state of the vines, thanks to a total absence of disease. The summer was then very sunny with high temperatures that presaged high potential in terms of alcohol, but saving rains in mid-August allowed the grapes to slowly continue to mature. The harvest thus began on August 19th in very good conditions and 11 days ahead of 2021. It was punctuated by a few rainfalls in September which did not alter the superb quality of the grapes but made it necessary to carry out a light sorting in the vineyard. We have worked our rosés with finesse, for elegant, fruity and low-alcohol wines. The reds were gently vinified with delicate extractions which reveal particularly balanced wines. The first tastings suggest a 2022 vintage full of promise, with complex and aromatic palates and great balance.