|
NOTES
Château de Beaucastel is located five kilometres south-east of Orange at the northern limit of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. The 30 hectares Coudoulet de Beaucastel vineyard lies just to the east of Beaucastel on the other side of the A7 autoroute.
The red wine of Beaucastel, as is the Coudoulet de Beaucastel, is structured, intense yet lean, partially thanks to the large percentage of Mourvedre - about 30% - in the final blend. Its austere tannic backbone and resistance to oxidation help Beaucastel age gracefully. Grenache (30%) contributes a warming sensation of ripe fruit and a velvety feeling in the mouth. Syrah at 10%, and Muscardin and Vaccarese with around 5% each, add colour and spicy aromas while increasing the wines ageing potential. 5% of Cinsault is added for softness and its special bouquet. The remainder is made up of small quantities of the seven other varieties allowed in Châteauneuf du Pape.
TASTING NOTES
The blend; 30% Mourvedré, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise and 5% Cinsault with the remaining 5% made up of the other permitted varieties (Vaccarese, Terret noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picoul, Picasran, Bourbroulenc, Roussanne). The wine is given 12 months maturation in large French oak casks followed by a further 12 months bottle age before being released.
Opaque dark red crimson colour; the nose is a little more closed than the Cotes du Rhone upon first sniff with aromas of earth, black cherry, liquorice allsorts and spice emerging followed by some meaty end notes. Full bodied palate displaying superb concentration and structure. Flavours of dark black cherry, liquorice, spice and black pepper with excellent length and persistence followed by some new leather and earth on the back palate. Fine grained dryish tannins, but in balance.
|
|
