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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 29 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by jhornung on 9/27/2021 flawed bottle: This wine was defective and had gone bad. (695 views) | | | Tasted by beekeeper on 9/9/2017 & rated 89 points: A bit tired but still pleasant. Vinous. (2351 views) | | | Tasted by Zweder on 7/10/2017 & rated 89 points: Weekly tasting group RWP #261: Leftovers (@ DJ): Chocolate brown color. In the bouquet autumn forest, tea, tobacco and garrigue. Same on the palate, ok acidity, a touch of sweetness and completely melted tannin. Drink very soon. (2933 views) | | | Tasted by Doug Fir on 8/21/2015 & rated 92 points: I've curled up in a wine barrel & gone to heaven. (3313 views) | | | Tasted by Dale M on 8/17/2015: P&P. Some interesting autumn leaves but I think the best days are behind this wine as the acidity seemed a little too pronounced for a 21 year old red. Fun to try though and no harm done as it was only 19.95. (3365 views) | | | Tasted by Doug Fir on 2/3/2015 & rated 92 points: Another great bottle, same as previous notes. (2960 views) | | | Tasted by Doug Fir on 1/17/2015 & rated 91 points: Sour cherry, game, and smoky aromas. Flavors start with black cherry & menthol, followed by game, tar, & cedar. Soft, elegant tannins. Medium finish, fitting to the overall wine. Really good wine IMO; I'm still impressed with what a 20 year old CDR can do. Seems like it could still go another few years too. (1859 views) | | | Tasted by Doug Fir on 12/31/2014 & rated 90 points: Tart red cherry & raspberry fruit on the high end, over nice smooth smoky, cedar, leather flavors underneath. Overall delicate mouthfeel and flavors, but not thin. Really interesting and nice combination that I assume has come with the age. First 20 year old CDR I've ever had and it was quite good. (1695 views) | | | Tasted by eluebchow on 11/24/2014 & rated 90 points: Probably a bit past its prime, but actually holding up quite nicely; This still has a fairly concentrated palate of stewed red fruits, underscored by some leather, licorice and spice; Acidity is starting to fade, so drink up if you have them (1317 views) | | | Tasted by Zweder on 8/12/2013 & rated 91 points: Weekly tasting group #083; Vertical of 8 vintages Coudoulet de Beaucastel plus a few extra's (@ DJ): Bouquet with a lot of garrigue. White pepper as well. On the palate a touch of sweetness. Beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity. The tannin is fully integrated and still offering a pleasant bite. Really nice and mature wine. (2502 views) | | | Tasted by liteagilis on 4/28/2013: One off bottle purchased recently from excellent cellar. Youthful garnet appearance with only the slightest browning on the rim. Nose smelled full-on tertiary but there was still so much fruit left on the palate. In fact, it improved over 4 hours in a decanter. Sweet red fruit, heavy barnyard, herbs, resolved tannins and excellent acidity. A very pleasant surprise. (2012 views) | | | Tasted by Mollybeg on 8/11/2012 & rated 91 points: Delicious, I agree with the comments of everyone who tasted it this year. It's a truly excellent bottle! (2844 views) | | | Tasted by psrv on 5/15/2012 & rated 88 points: Blind Chateauneuf and Gigondas 1988 - 1995 (Berkeley): Group's #4; my #6; 2 first; 1 second; 2 third; 0 last. Aromas and flavors candied dark fruits, meat, and minerals. Full bodied and smooth, with a medium finish. (3752 views) | | | Tasted by TheSauerKraut on 5/4/2012: In my experience, these coudoulet from the mid-1990s consistently punch above their weight class. A very pleasant, mature wine that does not seem to be in danger of dying anytime soon. (2965 views) | | | Tasted by mfp on 4/2/2012 & rated 92 points: Good. Drink now. (2049 views) | | | Tasted by gcarl on 11/18/2011 & rated 93 points: Spectacular nose at P&P, fruit, floral, with some leather/forest floor initially, but more fruity as 2 hour plus tasting continued. Still bright, dark color with faint brick edge in bright light. It did not look its age. Silky smooth fruit on the palate, long enjoyable finish. Very memorable wine which is now gone from my cellar. (2307 views) | | | Tasted by tooch on 10/28/2011 & rated 91 points: Leaving DC Dinner (Ripple - Cleveland Park, Washington, D.C.): I can't say that I had ever had an early 1990s Cotes-du-Rhone before, so what a wonderful surprise this was! This had a very spicy red fruited nose with forest tones, leather and cedar. The palate was silky and elegant with spicy red fruit, dried red florals and a lithe tobacco note. Very fond of this wine which stood up well against the 1994 Hommage and 1994 CdP. (3307 views) | | | Tasted by ekenneth on 3/14/2011 & rated 94 points: Again. Unbelievable, mature, cotes du rhone with sharp acidity, good depth of dark fruit, ...Yeah! (2151 views) | | | Tasted by europat55 on 11/28/2010 & rated 91 points: Very similar to my previous bottle a few months ago: Really amazing leather and earthy nose. Some interesting layers of spices in the palate, but seems to be lacking fruits which makes the finish a little bit bitter. Still an outstanding wine! Drink up! (301 views) (2279 views) | | | Tasted by ekenneth on 11/23/2010 & rated 94 points: Wow. Silky smooth, with nice fruit that deepens with air, a nice mix of subdued leather, exotic spices and stewed herbs. This is beautiful; with a texture like an old Musar, but darker and spicier. (2426 views) | | | Tasted by europat55 on 7/25/2010 & rated 91 points: Amazing nose of new saddle leather, black-cherries, smoke, olives, and herbs (the most attractive part of this wine right now)! Some interesting layers of spices in the palate, but seems to be lacking fruits which makes the finish a little bit bitter. Still an outstanding wine! Drink up! (2490 views) | | | Tasted by benhalton on 1/24/2010: dry, dusty, classic southern Rhone but definitely on the downslope. Drink up. (2790 views) | | | Tasted by vanpe003 on 11/27/2008 & rated 92 points: Absolutely lovely, perfect pairing with sage and sausage stuffed Thanksgiving turkey. Savory herbs on the nose. Good rich fruit, long and fully resolved finish. Medium bodied. (2964 views) | | | Tasted by vanpe003 on 2/10/2007 & rated 92 points: Rated 90 - Absolutely lovely. Poured into Riedel Syrah glass immediately on opening. Light brownish-red to the eye. Nose has considerable brett / barnyard which blows off quickly leaving an earthy fruit with notes of herb and a hint of raisin. Palate is medium bodied and in perfect balance. Fruit has an elegance befitting a 13 year old Rhone. No rough edges, this is drinking tremendously now. If paired with food, it needs to go with something "hearty yet refined". Food that's too heavy will overpower. Risotto with truffle sauce?
Update: 6hrs after opening, revisited for dinner (Emeril's Italian Chicken with New Orleans Spaghetti Bordelaise). A perfect pairing. If anything, this has opened up, leaving much of the earthiness behind, and in its place a depth of mature fruit, a hint of pine resin, and a medium to long finish. I only wish I had more of this. (3468 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Château de Beaucastel Producer website - Read more about Beaucastel
| An interesting podcast interview with Marc Perrin |
The Wine Doctor on Chateau Beaucastel |
Perrin & Fils Blog on Chateau BeaucastelRed Rhone Blend Read about the different grapes used to produce red and white Rhone wines
On CellarTracker, Red Rhone Blend is the term for a wine consisting of two or more of the traditional 13 Southern Rhone grape varieties. Typically it's the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre or Cinsault grapes, but can also contain the Muscardin, Counoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan or Vaccarese grapes.
A 'food' wine. Lacking pretension and intended for local consumption with local cuisine. Lacks the 'high' notes on a Bordeaux, more earthy and sharper so often a better partner to meat dishes with a sauce. Coudoulet de Beaucastel Producer website
__Coudoulet de Beaucastel Red__
Château de Beaucastel is located five kilometres south-east of Orange at the northern limit of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. The 30 hectares Coudoulet de Beaucastel vineyard lies just to the east of Beaucastel on the other side of the A7 autoroute. For reasons that will become evident, it is often referred to as a baby Beaucastel. When one looks at the geology of the soil at Coudoulet, the similarities with the soil at Beaucastel are legion. It is composed of a layer of marine limestone from the Miocene period, covered by a deposit of alpine diluvium. This blanket of rounded stones (or "galets") contributes much to the wines of Beaucastel: they retain the intense heat of the Mediterranean sun during the day then slowly disperse it to the vines during the night. They provide a head start to the vines in springtime. During the long Mediterranean summer, lack of water can stress the vineyard at times.
However, the resistance built into Beaucastel's vine stock from 30 years of continuous organic culture allows the vineyard to come through periods of drought with few problems. Because the soil is porous and aerated, the vineyards at Beaucastel have developed root systems that penetrate deep into the earth in their search for water.
Coudoulet, as Beaucastel, owes its ability to age to the high proportion of Mourvedre - about 30% - that makes up the final cuvée. This provides a tannic backbone and resistance to oxidation that ensures long life. In addition, Mourvedre introduces aromas of leather, tobacco, and spice to the blend. One should note also that the Beaucastel and Coudoulet vineyards are at the northern limit for growing Mourvedre, and it is well known that the best expressions of any varietal come from the cooler parts of their growing areas. The other main variety, Grenache, gives Coudoulet the rounded fullness and intense fruit that is typical of Côtes du Rhône. Syrah and Cinsault represent about 20% each and bring tannins and aromatic complexity to Coudoulet.
After careful hand harvesting, the grapes are transferred to the winery. Maceration takes place in enamel tiled vats over about 12 days before the free-run wine is taken off and a light pneumatic pressing applied. Each grape variety is kept separately until after malo-lactic fermentation, when the final blend is decided. The young wine continues to mature for about six months in large oak barrels or "foudres". In March following the vintage, the wine is fined with egg whites and bottled.
__Area of production__
Côtes du Rhône, adjoining the vineyard of Château de Beaucastel between Orange and Avignon. The Coudoulet vineyard is 30 hectares / 60 acres in size.
__Geology__
Miocene marine molasses with a layer of alpine diluvium (rounded pebbles).
__Grape varieties__
Grenache 30%, Mourvèdre 30%, Syrah 20%, Cinsault 20%.
__Vinification__
Hand picked harvest and sorted grapes which are then heated briefly to 30°C / 176°F before being cooled to 20°C / 68°F. Maceration in enamel tiled vats for twelve days. The juice is then drained off the rest pressed pneumatically.
__Maturing__
The different grape varieties, which have been vinified separately, are blended together after malo-lactic fermentation and matured for six to eight months in large oak barrels. The wine is bottled after fining with egg whites.
__Tasting notes__
Colour: bright and lively, with great depth.
Nose: red fruits.
Palate: Luscious, with hints of thyme.
France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comRhône Guide to the wines, wineries and appellations in the Rhone Valley The Rhône Valley/Le Vins de la Vallée du Rhône (Comité Interprofession des vins AOC Côtes et vallée du Rhône)
### Wine Scholar Guild's Rhône valley vintage charts & ratings ###Southern Rhône Guide to the wines, wineries and appellations in the Southern Rhone Valley
Côtes du Rhône Côtes du Rhône (Wikipedia) |
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