2006 Chateau de Beaucastel Rouge, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1x750ml

Vinous 95

The 2006 Beaucastel shows the textbook character of a mature Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It has expansive raspberry and cherry scents with suggestions of succulent herbs, pungent flowers, cigar box and just a hint of earth. Given the high percentage of Mourvedre (almost a third of the blend), I would have thought that the earthy aspect would have been more pronounced, but that is not the case here. The 2006 is silky in texture, and the suave blend of depth and energy highlights its red fruit along with floral pastille and baking spice flavors. It finishes extremely long and precise, with superb clarity and just a hint of finely polished tannins adding gentle grip. Beaucastel often shows some gamy character when the wines are young; however, the 2006 did not in barrel nor after it was bottled, and there s no trace of it now. I noted almost twelve years ago that this was a wine that beguiles rather than brutalizes , and I m happy with that assessment today. Readers lucky enough to have bought the 2006 Beaucastel on release got great value compared to the where bottles that just arrived on the market are priced today, yet the 2006 is actually quite fairly priced for a 15-year-old, world-class wine that comes direct from the winery s cellars. [Josh Raynolds, 24/09/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2021-2028

Robert Parker 91

The Beaucastel ’06 has a well defined nose with dark berried fruits, black olive, fennel, sage and a touch of wild honey. It displays superb delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, just a little dryness on the sidelines, perhaps closing down a little with a salty tang on the finish. Very fine. Tasted February 2011. [Neal Martin, 01/02/2011]