Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2012

The Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape opens up to near black in color in the glass. On the nose, the wine is very delicate and powerful at the same time, red fruit, black currants, blackberries, spices, thyme and lavender. The bouquet is very elegant, rich and round. Figs, cherries, black currants and stewed fruit, all with a great acidity. The tannins are present but very delicate.

Chateau de Beaucastel has long been considered as one of the greatest wines in France. It is famously known for its elegance, balance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an exceptional terroir at the northern limit of the appellation of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, exposed to the mistral wind. All thirteen varieties of the appellation have been grown organically since the sixties.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate    What I think might end up being the best Beaucastel since the 1990 or 2001, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape offers a full-bodied, decadent style to go with awesome black and blue fruits, garrigue, licorice, crushed flowers and violets. The purity here is truly something, and it has fabulous mid-palate concentration, building tannin and massive texture. Given all of the fruit and texture here, it will no doubt drink well in its youth, but it should still be alive and kicking after two decades as well.

95 Points - Wine Spectator    Warm raspberry and boysenberry confiture aromas and flavors are dominant in this lush, inviting style, but there’s plenty of dried star anise, bay leaf, licorice root, worn leather and roasted juniper notes to fill out the chorus. The finish turns youthfully grippy, with a tarry edge holding sway and adding serious length. Try now, but cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2018 through 2030.

93 Points - Vinous    Opaque ruby. Potent, mineral-laced raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by suave floral and spice qualities, picking up white pepper and cola accents with air. Seamless, round and sweet on the palate, offering intense red berry preserve and floral pastille flavors with a touch of allspice. Finishes sappy and precise, with velvety tannins and a late jolt of cherry compote.