Château de Beaucastel : Roussanne Vieilles Vignes 2023

Crafted entirely from old vines of Roussanne, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes matured in 50% new oak barrels and demi-muids from Chassaing and Dargaud & Jaegle and 50% in one-year-old barrels without undergoing malolactic fermentation. It exhales a deep, complex and elegant bouquet of honey, linden, spices, ripe orchard fruit and marmalade. Full-bodied, round and sappy, concentrated and textured, it’s dense and seamless with a rich texture and subtle, elegant, refined acidity that segues into a long, rich finish. With its substantial aging potential, it is poised to age beautifully.

Attractive, fresh and open, with honeyed apricot and mango notes. It’s full-bodied, but not massive by any means, and the acidity is low, as usual with this cuvée, with a positive, bitter grapefruit note. Lovely generous nature to the body, along with a good feeling of balance. Long and fresh, with gentle inner tension. From a single parcel of Roussanne, planted in 1919 and grown biodynamically. Aged in one-year-old demi-muids and barriques. Maximum of 6,000 bottles per year.

Slightly reduced and nutty with a note of oak on the nose. Real intensity on the palate with superb definition and richness; this is supremely concentrated – mandarin skin and almond husk throughout, with nutty, ripe russet apple and jasmine. Long, incredibly rich and refined. Wonderful. (AC)

There are roughly 600 cases of the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, a 100% Roussanne from very old vines brought up 50% new oak and 50% once-used. It too is flat-out awesome, with honeyed quince, green almond, white flowers, orange liqueur, and a liqueur of rocks-like minerality. It's full-bodied, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, fabulous concentration, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. If you see it, buy it. I don’t see this being the longest-lived vintage of this cuvée, but who cares? It’s sensational stuff.

At the dawn of its expression. The 2023 vintage suits it well, as the Roussanne is not overly dominant. Notes of apricot and broom are present, but a lovely freshness remains. The oak frames the palate without excess; it is spherical, generous, and powerful at mid-palate. Overall, it is less vinous than the 2022 vintage. The finish shows fine acidity and notable persistence.

A stunning, precise, ample and textured roussanne, proposing aromas of dried lemon, dried mango, anise, wild herbs, verbena and some mild spices as well. It’s medium- to full-bodied with an oily texture. It’s round, suave and harmonious. Delicious and flavorful with layers. Vibrant with a vivid herbal and baked-lemon character providing plenty of vitality and verve. A brilliant expression on old-vine roussanne with so much focus and poise. Long finish. Drink or hold.

Prominent lime flesh, ripe pear, lemon peel, saffron, herbal tea and a dash of wet stone shape the gorgeous 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes. Showing off with class and refinement, the 2023 hums with life. Walking off the stage with a bold yet flawlessly elegant finish, this is a gorgeous Roussanne Vieilles Vignes that matches the quality of the equally enticing 2022 I tasted earlier this year.