| ex Vat | € 32,50 |
| in Vat | € 39,33 |
| Volume | Half bottle |
| ex Vat | € 189,00 |
| in Vat | € 228,69 |
| Volume | Magnum |
| Classification | Cru Classe |
| Type | Red |
| Producer | Chateau de Beaucastel |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhone |
| Appellation | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Grape | Rhone Blend |
| Volume | 0,75 |
| Condition | Perfect |
| Label | Perfect |
| Stock | 0 |
| Volume | 0,375 |
| Condition | Perfect |
| Label | Perfect |
| Stock | 0 |
| Volume | 1,5 |
| Condition | Perfect |
| Label | Slightly bin soiled |
| Stock | 1 |
The 2015 growing season in the Southern Rhône began with a cold and wet spring that delayed budbreak by nearly two weeks. Scorching heat and minimal rainfall resulted in a dramatic concentration of fruit. In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this meant thickened skins and reduced berry size, especially important for Mourvèdre-dominated blends. Mistral winds kept the vines from burning on the hottest days. Harvesting began in mid-September in ideal conditions. The result was wines of exceptional concentration and structure that will keep for decades.
Bottled in late July, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is an amazing effort, especially when one considers the production volume. Loaded with black cherry fruit and cola-like spice, this full-bodied, richly textured wine never seems heavy or warm, while exotic Indian spice notes linger on the finish.
All 13 grapes. This has a dark fruited, blueberry and blue plum nose with wide swinging tannins. Some white peppery elements, violets, brooding dark spices, blue fruits and dark plums. Builds from the ground up. Dark stones. Impressive, powerful.
This wine cannot be described as delicate. Aromas of dark plum and blackberry mingle with garrigue herbs, leather and a distinct mineral undertone of the famous galets roulés (large rounded stones). The Mourvèdre has a firm tannin backbone and acidity that cuts through the rich fruit. The alcohol feels warm, but it's well integrated rather than hot. The finish is long, with notes of black olives and dried herbs.
All 13 varieties recognized in Châteauneuf-du-Pape are grown in Beaucastel. Grenache is used extensively in most wine domains, but the main variety here is Mourvèdre, usually about 30% of the blend, with Grenache accounting for 30%. The remaining 40% is Syrah, Cinsault and Cunoise, along with a small amount of other authorized varieties. Why this particular approach? Mourvèdre brings more structure and length. And in a warm year like 2023, its tannin support becomes very important.
It is best aged until at least 2024, and can be drunk until 2040. The combination of Mourvèdre's natural structure and the concentration of the vintage gives this wine serious aging potential. Store in the dark at 12-14°C. Over time, the tannins soften, revealing aromas of earth, truffle and game. Fruit flavors change from berry to complex fig and prune aromas.
The Perrin family has owned Beaucastel since 1909, but it was Jacques Perrin who shaped the modern look of the estate. His philosophy was simple and straightforward: organic farming (started in 1950, decades before it became fashionable), blending predominantly Mourvèdre and never compromising the character of the wine for the sake of convenience. When he died in 1978, his sons Jean-Pierre and François adopted this approach. Today, the four Perrin brothers manage 130 hectares of land. Best of Wines considers them one of the most consistent producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The 70-hectare Beaucastel vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is located in the northeast of the region, near Courzon. The distinctive feature of this site is the galets roulés (large rounded stones that cover most of the vineyard surface). During the day, these stones absorb the heat of the Provencal sun. At night, the accumulated heat is returned to the vines, prolonging the ripening period of the grapes at lower temperatures. Beneath the stones is a Miocene marine molasse covered by alpine alluvium. It is well drained, which is very important in rainy years.
Beaucastel ferments each of the 13 authorized varieties separately in concrete tanks. Before fermentation, the grape skins are briefly heated to 80°C and quickly cooled. This allows the color and aroma to unfold without the harsh tannins often associated with prolonged maceration. Aging takes place in large oak fouders (rather than small barriques), which provide gentle oxygenation without masking the fruity flavors. The result is more terroir and less oak flavor.
The structure and level of spice in this wine demands persistent flavors. Braised shoulder of lamb with rosemary blends beautifully with the fat, which does a great job of softening the tannins. Paired with mature Roquefort and walnuts, the saltiness of the cheese harmonizes with the fruitiness of the wine. Wild boar ragout also pairs well, especially with its herbal complexity; serve at 18°C and decant 30 minutes if drinking young. Delicate dishes can be overpowered.
With track & trace code