Château de Beaucastel - Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2021

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Since 1909, Beaucastel has been owned by the Perrin family. Today, it is run by Jean-Pierre and François, the sons of Jacques Perrin, alongside Cécile, Marc, Pierre, Thomas, Charles, Mathieu, and César—the fifth generation. In other words: a family affair! Situated on 100 hectares of rounded pebble soil, including 30 hectares in the Côtes du Rhône (Coudoulet de Beaucastel), Château Beaucastel produces four wines. For whites, there is a classic cuvée dominated by Roussanne, and the famous Roussanne-Vieilles-Vignes cuvée. For the reds, Mourvèdre plays a major role, accounting for nearly a third of the vineyards—as much as Grenache. This unusual proportion proved strategic in 2018 and helped achieve the finesse and freshness characteristic of Beaucastel. This is undoubtedly one of the finest wine estates in France, with, in our view, an added purity in recent years.

Decanter

About the wine:

A deep, somewhat herbaceous expression, marked by notes of licorice, crushed blueberries, and blackcurrant. Full-bodied, powerfully fruity, dense, and deep. The palate is truly enveloping, with intense fruit. The tannins are ripe, refined, and abundant, all saturated with blackberry juice on a long finish. Certainly one of the most successful Châteauneufs of the vintage. It will age well. A Beaucastel expression dominated by Mourvèdre—it contains more than usual, at least 35% and probably more. Grenache and Cinsault vinified in concrete tanks, Syrah and Mourvèdre vinified in large oak casks.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape enhances the intensity of the Coudelet, adding more pronounced notes of truffle and tree bark from the Mourvèdre to complement the black cherries and ripe plums, crushed stones, and hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied on the palate, with great concentration and richness, this slightly tannic wine finishes with a long, velvety finish, with hints of licorice and black fruit. It is a remarkable wine from a challenging vintage.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

With its unique terroir of rounded pebbles, Château de Beaucastel is one of the icons of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This estate can boast of being one of the few to use all thirteen authorized grape varieties in the production of its red wine. A wine that consistently maintains a very high standard, though it faces competition from vintages that have shaken up the appellation’s hierarchy. Certainly, the extremely rare and remarkable Hommage à Jacques Perrin cuvée—composed largely of Mourvèdre and produced only in exceptional vintages—remains a benchmark, as does the sumptuous Roussanne Vieilles Vignes white, which reveals its full potential with age. Under the Perrin family’s capable leadership, Château de Beaucastel remains a benchmark for wines from southern France, a status it must now share with other estates that have reached—or even surpassed—its level.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

Very appealing nose, with notes of licorice, crushed dark blackcurrant, leather, strawberry jam, and earthy dark spices. Smooth and ripe on the palate, with good freshness and acidity. Tight and refined, with firm tannins, black fruit, licorice, thyme, and a ripe finish tinged with these flavors. Wonderful.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with an alcohol content of 14%, is a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Counoise, 5% Syrah, 5% Cinsaut, and other authorized grape varieties. The result is magnificent, with aromas of juicy red fruits mingling with notes of black cherry, mint, garrigue, and a hint of white pepper wafting from the glass. On the palate, it is full-bodied and structured, with tannins as smooth as ever that envelop this elegant and refined red, before finishing with a brilliant aftertaste.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Still a bit closed, the fruit is therefore somewhat reserved, but aromas of game, lavender, and rosemary are already present. Well-structured and crisp, the tannins develop steadily as you drink. Concentrated, ripe red fruit wraps skillfully around the core. A long, spicy finish with notes of licorice. Best enjoyed upon release. Made from organically grown grapes.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

With a higher proportion of Mourvèdre than usual (40%), the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape boasts a deep ruby-purple hue and a classic Beaucastel nose of ripe red and blue fruits, spices, game, truffle-infused earth, and ground pepper. This wine, which reminds me of the 2012 vintage, is medium- to full-bodied with a structured and concentrated palate, soft tannins, and an excellent finish.