2011 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Roussanne
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Tasting notes
Oak and rather big, bold and 20th-century in style. Heavier than the 2009 regular Beaucastel blanc. Maybe just a bit too much of a good thing? (JR)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Borderline perfection, the sensational 2011 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force in white from the southern Rhône. A blend of 100% Roussanne aged half in new barrel and half in stainless steel, from a single plot of very old vines and from ridiculous yields of 10 hl/ha, it offers a thick, opulent style and is loaded with notions of buttered citrus, flower oil, marmalade, and crushed rocks. While it hits the palate with a wealth of sweet fruit on the attack, it turns clean, mineral-laced and dry on the finish, with incredible length. This full-bodied, heavenly dry white can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15+ years.
This is the famous all-Roussanne cuvée. It seemed scented, quite oaky, rich, very full bodied and had markedly low acidity. I persuaded myself it was a Viognier, possibly from outside Europe. A particularly blustering Yalumba perhaps? (JR)
Very sumptuous nose. Naughtily, I think it puts me in mind of Giaconda’s Roussanne! Floral, broad, lifted. Tastes quite sweet. With an impressive undertow. And quite a bit of alcohol. This will surely develop in bottle. A little chewy on the end. (JR)
About the producer
This Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate is one of the Rhône’s most famous addresses. With a history stretching back to the 16th century, Beaucastel remains family owned and run, with the fifth generation of the Perrin family – Marc, Pierre, Thomas, Cécile, Charles, Matthieu and César – at the helm today.