Château de Beaucastel 2018

Really pure in profile and alluring in feel, with cassis and cherry purée flavors seamlessly layered with melted red licorice and fruitcake notes. A dash of roasted apple wood underscores the finish, letting the fruit be the primary player. Subtle mesquite and incense accents are tucked in the background for now. Approachable, but no rush. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Picardan and Roussanne. Drink now through 2038. 1,636 cases imported.

A tight and compelling tannic structure, muscular and knitted down at this stage, rich and concentrated with blackberries and olive paste. Needs a few years, but already you can discern the floral aromatics that overlay the core, and this is going to evolve into a beautiful Beaucastel. Organic. Blend completed by 10% Counoise, 10% blend of Vaccarese, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, plus 10% Roussanne and 5% Cinsault.

Deep ruby. Cherry, blueberry, smoky mineral and pungent floral qualities on the perfumed nose, along with spice and garrigue flourishes. Sappy and well-concentrated red and dark fruit preserve flavors show surprising and welcome energy for their depth and pick up candied lavender and spice nuances as the wine opens out. Closes very long and lively, with chewy tannins framing floral pastille and dark berry notes.

You can taste and feel the intensity from the low yields here. At its core you find layers of earth, garrigue and peppery kirsch, black raspberry, cherry and spicy red plums. Richly textured with soft, silky tannins and a finish that resonates with spice box, kirsch, dark red berries and olives, this is going to offer great drinking early, yet should last for at least 2 decades.

Moving to the reds, the 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape showed nicely with a deep ruby/purple color as well as classic Beaucastel aromas and flavors of darker currants, blueberries, smoked meats, black licorice, and roasted herbs. With medium- to full-bodied richness, a pure, clean, elegant texture, sweet tannins, and a great finish, this seamless, elegant Beaucastel will be approachable in its youth yet still offer 20+ years of prime drinking.

One of the highlights of our tasting, true to its style and worthy of its reputation, monumental on the palate with its texture and full-bodied, spicy character, showing great restraint in its power and a refinement of aromas that remains as spectacular as ever.

A rather juicy profile with a distinctly Mediterranean character: maquis herbs, garrigue and spice. The fruit is dominated by Mourvèdre aromas. The palate is generous, yet the tannic structure tightens nicely on the finish, with no harshness on the bite. A fine, fresh tension drives this wine.