Robert Parker (97)
Beaucastel's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is shaping up as a blend of 30% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% each Counoise and Syrah, plus 20% other permitted varieties, including a healthy proportion of white grapes. Complex and red-fruited, with hints of flowers and garrigue, it's expansive and richly textured on the palate, finishing long and silky.
James Suckling (97)
Very dense black-fruit aromas, but also licorice, an entire microcosm of spice and a whiff of smoked bacon. Very dense and meaty with an incredible tannin structure that enables this to be simultaneously very big and elegant. Super-long finish with enormous mineral freshness.
Jancis Robinson (16.50)
40% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault – Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in oak to avoid reduction, Cinsault and Grenache in concrete tanks. Aged 6 months in foudres. Cask sample.
Immediately more scented than some of the intense Famille Perrin range, with fragrant black-cherry fruit and a light herbal quality, as if there were some whole bunch (though I don't think there was). A hint of violets. On the palate, refined tannins, juicy, fresh, moreish.
Vinous (95)
The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape displays pronounced aromas of ripe forest strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, licorice, mint, cured meat, dried herbs and hints of tobacco. On the palate it is full-bodied, concentrated, muscular and framed by polished tannins. Lively acids perfectly balance it, ending with excellent persistence on the savory finish. Producing this high level of quality with a whopping 180,000 bottles is remarkable in the context of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
BOW (8.75)
