Château de Beaucastel 2022

An alluring, generous white, with a lot of pleasure to the honey-coated quince and apple notes, cut with pithy acidity and a chalky mineral layer. Density builds as this unwinds in the glass, with toasted almond, green herb and white blossom details adding complexity. Long, with impressive focus to the concentrated and full yet fresh finish. Delicious. Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc. Drink now through 2030.

An aromatic vintage at this stage, with honeyed pear and honeysuckle characters. Full, round and generous, with plenty of glycerol, all cut through by a strong beam of acidity. Alcohol is just gently warming. Certainly a rich vintage, all about power, weight and ripeness.

Cask sample. Lovely nutty notes on the nose – almond, marzipan and spiced pear. A rich and dense mouthfeel – textured and full and almost sweet. The marzipan comes through on the finish. Honeyed and powerful with a very rich finish – broad and golden. Well balanced but very big! (AC)

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc brings another level of precision and focus. Honeyed quince, white flowers, honeysuckle, chalky minerality, and toasted spice notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with beautiful mid-palate depth and a remarkable sense of freshness while staying rich and textured.

Roughly 80% Roussanne, with the balance a mix of other permitted white varieties, Beaucastel's 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a fine, fine effort. Tangerine and peach notes are plump and round on the full-bodied palate, which is quite rich and plush in feel yet long and harmonious on the finish. The ability to be so ripe and sumptuous yet balanced is truly remarkable.