The 2021 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the benchmark wines of the Southern Rhône and a reference point for the appellation as a whole. Produced by Famille Perrin, Château de Beaucastel has been at the forefront of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for more than a century and is renowned for its commitment to traditional viticulture, organic farming and the use of all thirteen permitted grape varieties of the appellation.

The estate's vineyards are situated in the northern part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and are characterised by the region's famous galets roulés—large rounded stones that store heat during the day and release it at night, promoting even ripening. Beneath these stones lie clay, limestone and sandy soils that contribute both power and freshness. Beaucastel is particularly noted for its unusually high proportion of Mourvèdre, which brings structure, complexity and exceptional ageing potential.

"A deep, quite herbal expression, with liquorice and crushed blueberries to the cassis fruit. Full-bodied, powerfully fruited, dense and deep. Really mouthcoating, intense fruit. The tannins are ripe, fine and plentiful, all saturated in blackberry juice on a long finish. Certainly one of the more successful Châteauneufs this year. Will age well. A Mourvèdre-led expression of Beaucastel - it contains more than usual, at least 35% and probably more. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudre - Decanter

Coming in at 14% alcohol, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Counoise, 5% Syrah, 5% Cinsaut and other permitted varieties. The result is magnificent, wafting from the glass with fragrant aromas of juicy red fruits mingling with hints of black cherry, mint, garrigue and a pinch of white pepper. Full-bodied and layered, ever-so-velvety tannins wrap this elegant-to-the-core polished red, before concluding with a bright finish. (NG) - Vinous