Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2022
(Southern Rhone, France) - [JS 97] [DM 96] [JD 95] [WA 94] [VM 94]

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape is some serious Provençal goodness, with just about overflowing aromas and flavors of sweet raspberries, blackberries, peppery garrigue, and Provençal spices. It has the sunny, expressive, complex style of the vintage, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. As with most 2022s, it has plenty of upfront charm yet solid underlying tannins as well. It reminds me slightly of the 2009 and will have two decades of longevity.

Matured 100% in foudres, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Château de Beaucastel evokes aromas of dark wild berries, dark cherries, spices and licorice mingled with a touch of chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, deep and dense, it’s perfectly balanced with a structured, textured and seamless mid-palate enhanced by velvety tannins and a peppery, delicate and long finish. Cesar Perrin is aiming to reduce the percentage of Syrah in favor of Counoise, so this harmonious Beaucastel, matured in foudres, is a blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 10% Counoise, 5% Cinsault, 5% Terret Noir, 5% Muscardin, 5% Vaccarèse and 20% of white grapes, such as Roussanne and Clairette.

Beaucastel is renowned for producing some of the most long-lived red wines in Southern Rhône. But beyond their remarkable longevity, the wines from Château de Beaucastel are distinguished by their elegance and finesse as they mature. These traits persist, despite the deep structure and concentration for which they are known. Since the end of the tenure of Jacques Perrin (he passed away in 1978), the estate has strictly adhered to organic farming methods, avoiding the use of chemicals on its extensive 110 hectares in the northernmost part of the appellation. Jacques’s sons, François and Jean-Pierre, have faithfully upheld their father’s philosophy: wine must be made naturally, Mourvèdre must be a significant component of the blend and the wine’s character and intrinsic qualities must not be compromised by modern technological interventions. The new winery that the family is constructing embodies this philosophy in a modern context. Today, winemaking is led by César Perrin, who, while maintaining the foundational principles, has introduced adaptations to address climate change, such as increasing the percentage of Counoise in the blends. The 2022 vintage is exemplary, showcasing richness and balance with significant aging potential. Meanwhile, the 2023 whites continue to impress with their richness and roundness, offering sensational concentration yet remaining refreshingly light and unburdened by heaviness.