Description
Wine Name: Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2021
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France
Vineyard Size: 70 hectares (single plot within a 110-hectare estate)
Terroir: Classic galets roulés (rolled pebbles), underlain by sand, clay, and limestone; organically farmed old vines with deep root systems
Grape Varieties: Grenache 30%, Mourvèdre 30%, Syrah 15%, Counoise 10%, Roussanne 10%, Cinsault 5%, plus small amounts of Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc
Alcohol: 15% ABV
Vinification: Manual harvest by variety; reductive varieties (Mourvèdre, Syrah) fermented in oak vats; oxidative grapes in enamelled concrete tanks. After malolactic fermentation, all varieties are blended and matured for 12 months in large oak vats.
Maturation: 12 months in oak vats
Serving Temperature: 15°C; decanting recommended
Cellaring Potential: 15–30 years
Tasting Note:
The 2021 vintage of Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge is a masterclass in harmony and finesse, echoing the storied vintages of the 1980s and ’90s. Cloaked in a deep ruby hue with violet reflections, it opens with an expressive bouquet of wild blackberries, lavender, and garrigue, intertwined with hints of crushed pepper and dried herbs. On the palate, it is poised and layered—ripe Grenache offers warmth and generosity, while Mourvèdre and Syrah bring depth, structure, and spice. The mouthfeel is silky yet powerful, with vibrant acidity lending freshness to its rich core. A persistent, savoury finish reveals notes of tapenade, plum, and forest floor, promising remarkable age-worthiness. This is a wine of depth and complexity, equally suited to a festive table or a collector’s cellar. Ideal with roasted game, lamb shoulder with rosemary, or aged cheeses.
