Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2005

Presentation

Presentation
Château de Beaucastel has long been considered one of the great wines of France. It is unanimously renowned for its balance, elegance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an extraordinary terroir at the Northern end of the appellation with heavy exposure to the Mistral. All 13 varieties of the appellation have been organically grown here since the sixties.
The vintage
An exceptional vintage spared by the drought.
Traditional agriculture allowed a late harvest with very healthy grapes.
Location
Châteauneuf du Pape, between Orange and Avignon, Château de Beaucastel red is a 70-hectare vineyard.
Terroir
Château de Beaucastel is 110 hectares, with one single plot at the north of the appellation. The terroir is archetypal of the best terroirs in Châteauneuf: rolled pebbles on the surface, sand, clay and limestone deeper down. The vines are old and have been organically grown for 50 years, which has allowed the roots to grow exceptionally deep.
Beaucastel grows all thirteen grape varieties authorised by the appellation.
Ageing
Each variety is harvested manually and separately. Vinification is completed in truncated oak barrels for the reductive grapes (Mourvèdre and Syrah) and in traditional tiled cement tanks for the oxidative grapes (such as Grenache). After the malolactic fermentations, the family blends the different varieties and then the wine ages in oak Foudres for a year before being bottled.
Varietals
Grenache : 30%
Mourvèdre : 30%
Vaccarèse, Terret noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne. : 15%
Counoise : 10%
Syrah : 10%
Cinsault : 5%

Advice

Serving
15°C and if possible decant before serving.
Tasting
The colour is dark red and shiny.
The nose is spicy with notes of pepper, Garrigue, bay leaves and dried herbs.
The mouth is elegant with notes of leather and bees wax. The bouquet is ample and the tannins are soft and structured.

A beautiful wine to be cellared.

Reviews

96/100
"Really dense and locked up now, this is packed with dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit shrouded by layers of tar, hot stone, bittersweet licorice and espresso. The long, dense finish has a great tug of iron buried within it. Best from 2011 through 2030."
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93/100
"Medium to deep garnet colour. Aromas of dark cherries, raspberry compote, cardamom, black truffles and a touch of star anise. The palate is full bodied, richly fruited with medium to high acidity and a medium+ level of grainy, slightly chewy tannins. Concentrated with a good compliment of structure to hold it up. Long peppery finish. Drink 2010 to 2025+"
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18/20
"Fabulous aromas of sweet fruit, beginning of leather and then really meaty on the palate, seasoned with pepper and spice. Silky texture. Mouthwatering and elegant. Still so much more to come."
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"This vintage is a beautiful complex and well-balanced wine. The colour is dark and deep, with beautiful ruby shades. The nose is both fresh and complex at the same time with notes of chocolate and spices. The mouth is a subtle balance between freshness and notes of black fruit and mushrooms."
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"Ce vin présente un nez puissant et intense aux notes florales et fruitées. Il commence doucement aujourd’hui à révéler ses arômes silex et minéraux et ses caractères tanniques. La bouche est équilibrée. La dégustation prouve le potentiel expressif de ce vin."
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"This wine has a powerful and intense nose with floral and fruity notes. The mouth begins slowly, and gradually reveals aromas of flint and minerality and its tannic character. The tasting demonstrates the expressive potential of this balanced wine."
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