Clearly white of the night. The floral nose immediately draws you in with flower and tropical flavour. Completely outclassing the Aeolia. Even better than rhe 11.
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This is more lively with good acidity and ripe flavors of tropical fruits and spices. The finish is lifted and tangy offering excellent complexity and a fine mineral grip. I like this very much right now. With Tom Black in Nashville.
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This was a delicious bottle of roussane. This was less mineral driven and chalky than the 2003 or 2001. The fruit is standout with peach, kumquat rind and ripe nectarine flavors. Mineral backbone is perfect and harmonious. Not overly assertive or distracting like some other vintages. The nose is also spectacular with acacia, butternut / buartnut, and a lighter perfume of the aforementioned fruits. This is one of the best roussanes I have had, and roussanes are one of my favorite white varietals.
I served this at 58 degrees after a two hour decant. Paired it with poached shrimp with gooseberries, toasted pignoli nuts and thai lemon basil.
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I've always loved this wine as kind of a guilty pleasure; its opulent, heady qualities contrast sharply with my usual preference for low-alcohol, precise, mineral-driven whites, but I appreciate the change of pace this wine offers me, and it's always been more of an thought-provoking beverage than what I think it's reputation is (i.e. a slightly Euro-fied version of an Aubert Chard). Anyhow, I thought this was the best bottle I've ever had of this wine across any vintage. Just a gorgeous nose full of lanolin, peach, wax, and honeysuckle that shows something new with every spin. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, but the oak and alcohol were very much in check, with no shortage of freshness and plenty of acidity to keep you coming back. Rhone whites rarely get better than this.
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Maybe the best white table wine i have ever tasted. A creamy, waxy, viscous gem featuring stone fruits, orange zest and nuances of citrus with spices and persistence on the finish that went on and on. This wine grew as we enjoyed it over 2 hours.
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Nyccablover has it spot on: needs a good decant (took almost 2 hours) to deliver the goods. The appearance is clear gold. The nose is fresh cut white flowers, orange peel, and honeysuckle. The palate is white peach, honey, custard, honeydew melon, green apple, and herb. The finish is long with a slight oily feel. The wine is both delicate and powerful at the same time. 94-95
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Taken to Hawksmoor Air Street. After nearly an hour of air in the bottle it really opened to reveal whilte flower, white nectarine, peach, honeysuckle, green banana, burnt banana, and a finish that was slightly oily of bitter herb. Paired beautifully with my turbot. I still prefer the 2012 ad this will appeal to those who prefer more opulence and less minerality but it is a stunning wine. 94
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Tropical fruit, honeyed notes, petrol mouthfeel and long finish. Muted nose. Beautiful and luscious wine. A more opulent and less minerally version of the 2012. 94
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Should have decanted - quite tight with oxidative notes then after an hour in the glass a beautiful waxy honeyed elixir with a smooth finish. Score withheld.
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This was drank in less-than-ideal conditions (small glass, rushed meal, too warm initially, no decant) but still was a pleasure. Honey, custard, pineapple and mango with that trademark oily feel. I scored the 2012 a point higher but perhaps next time in more ideal conditions it will outshine as the depth was greater and everything seemed more opulent whereas the 2012 had a more minerally finish.
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Tampa Spring Break III; 2/16/2018-2/18/2018 (Tampa FL): This was just delicious for my palate, "white wine crack" actually. The second time I have gotten a recommendation to decant this wine before drinking (the other was for the 2011) - and I think it really helps to warm it up to room temp and let it unspool its flavors. On the nose here I am in a french bakery - heavenly. Tastes of lemon custard tart, smooth and creamy mouthfeel, the custard is tamed from being overblown by the acid and then minerals. The finish keeps on going. Awesome.
Not as restrained and tight as the 2016 and not as wide and complex as the 2015 and perhaps on its way to shut down, this is a wonderful VV with marks of slightly honeyed fruit, nuts, fennel and lemon. Oily texture, full and round on the palate. Surely there is much more to come. Beaucastel evening chez Lillelunds.
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Dinner with Beaucastel (Chez moi): Some gras here, but also fine acidity and balance. Harmony and length, certainly, could be closing down, though, it is a bit shy already. 93+ point.
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Chateau de Beaucastel Dinner (Ai Fiori (Langham Hotel on 5th Ave)): I generally subscribe to the theory that a good red will always beat a good white, but this wine makes me wonder about that. Great acidity. Beautiful tropical fruit. Honey. Very pretty. And the finish just goes on and on. Spectacular.
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A bit more mute than the last time I tasted it. It took some effort to bring out the ripe, tropical and citrus fruits with their exotic, slightly honeyed profile. With weight, and freshness, this is a treat. It's still quite primary at the moment, so time is needed here as I suspect there is more under the hood here.
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Absolutely gorgeous wine from the get go. much more flowery after the basic 2014 Blanc. Rich fruit expression to the nose with some extract on the palate.
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This is drinking beautifully now right out of the bottle, although it can age. The nose is youthful with some reduction. Melon, gentle acid bite, no sweetness but Roussane fruit comes through, dry finish. A lovely wine.
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This is obviously a fantastic wine. Despite the decadent flavors of cotton candy, creamy mango, and smoky custard, this wine drinks very well now. It's quite expressive and not as dense as I expected.
There is an interesting note on the Beaucastel website: "This exceptional wine must be drunk within 3 years or after 15 years." I'm glad I drank it now!
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Tasted at the estate. Now this is what I am talking about. My favourite CdP Blanc. This is what I want when I think of Roussanne. This was fantastic in every way. The finish really is out of this world. Hard to subscribe to Beaucastel's philosophy of drinking within 5 years of vintage or waiting until after 15 years, because this is just too good to resist right now. Incredible stuff
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Rule the Rhone; 10/27/2016-11/3/2016 (Northern & Southern Rhone): Prob served a bit on the cold side to being with but that gave us a great opportunity to see it evolve as it woke up. Lime, honey, hints of acidity and not as overpowering, but still a great mouthful. This is delicious and beautiful and elegant and expect it will only be more so. The finish is haunting - can still remember it.
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Magnifique Roussanne, d'une rare élegance, jamais fatigant, joliment parfumée (abricot, violette, fleur blanches... à l'aveugle, je serais probablement parti sur un grand Condrieu minéral), dénué de sensation alcooleuse et remarquablement equilibré. Il se goutait vraiment bien jeune, avec une finale étirée, fraiche et roborative, légérement saline, sur des notes d'agrumes. Très joli! Il gagnera évidemment en complexité avec l'âge, mais qu'il est bon a ce stade!
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From low yields of only12 hectoliters per hectare, the wine blasts off with honeyed citrus, orange, marzipan, crushed rock and herbs. The wine is fat, rich, lush and opulent, yet there is ample acidity keeping it fresh and lively on the palate. The finish really lingers and expands on the palate.
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This is a magnificent wine. This would probably have been in the discussion for the best white wine I have ever had if not for having tried the 2011 vintage of this wine. This is an outstanding achievement in a very difficult growing season and proof that this Beaucastel Roussanne Vieilles Vignes cuvee is as solid as they come.
The wine is a lively pale yellow color which seemingly catches the light better than most. It is clearly viscous which betrays its full body. The bouquet has lemon, passion fruit, oak and an impressive and appealing stony minerality. The palette is alive with meyer lemon, peach, lime and mango with pleasant creamy chalkiness in the long finish. Not quite as nuanced or layered as the 2011, but great acidity and resulting balance makes for a delicious and immediately accessible wine. I do not think this wine will age like the 2011 so drink up before it hits is dumb phase in 2019.
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A serious wine with rather more concentration than I expected from 25 hectolitres to the hectare
Bouquet is redolent of roussanne aromatics - honeysuckle, white peach, dry honey with stone underlay Palate is creamy, reflecting the inclusion of new oak as part of the 8 months in barrel Spicy, juicy, with multiple layers of mineral, dry honeysuckle and white berries; acidity is enough to keep this going a long time. Great balance, big wine 93-95
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4/9/2022 - acheng wrote: 94 Points
Clearly white of the night. The floral nose immediately draws you in with flower and tropical flavour. Completely outclassing the Aeolia. Even better than rhe 11.
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2/4/2020 - dream Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is more lively with good acidity and ripe flavors of tropical fruits and spices. The finish is lifted and tangy offering excellent complexity and a fine mineral grip. I like this very much right now. With Tom Black in Nashville.
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12/28/2019 - Scribs Likes this wine:
Drank at Blackberry Mountain wine tasting - Rhone North to South - Old World vs. New World
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6/8/2019 - Whisky&Wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
This was a delicious bottle of roussane. This was less mineral driven and chalky than the 2003 or 2001. The fruit is standout with peach, kumquat rind and ripe nectarine flavors. Mineral backbone is perfect and harmonious. Not overly assertive or distracting like some other vintages. The nose is also spectacular with acacia, butternut / buartnut, and a lighter perfume of the aforementioned fruits. This is one of the best roussanes I have had, and roussanes are one of my favorite white varietals.
I served this at 58 degrees after a two hour decant. Paired it with poached shrimp with gooseberries, toasted pignoli nuts and thai lemon basil.
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5/25/2019 - Billigan Likes this wine: 96 Points
I've always loved this wine as kind of a guilty pleasure; its opulent, heady qualities contrast sharply with my usual preference for low-alcohol, precise, mineral-driven whites, but I appreciate the change of pace this wine offers me, and it's always been more of an thought-provoking beverage than what I think it's reputation is (i.e. a slightly Euro-fied version of an Aubert Chard). Anyhow, I thought this was the best bottle I've ever had of this wine across any vintage. Just a gorgeous nose full of lanolin, peach, wax, and honeysuckle that shows something new with every spin. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, but the oak and alcohol were very much in check, with no shortage of freshness and plenty of acidity to keep you coming back. Rhone whites rarely get better than this.
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12/30/2018 - thwacker Likes this wine: 98 Points
Maybe the best white table wine i have ever tasted. A creamy, waxy, viscous gem featuring stone fruits, orange zest and nuances of citrus with spices and persistence on the finish that went on and on. This wine grew as we enjoyed it over 2 hours.
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6/4/2018 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nyccablover has it spot on: needs a good decant (took almost 2 hours) to deliver the goods. The appearance is clear gold. The nose is fresh cut white flowers, orange peel, and honeysuckle. The palate is white peach, honey, custard, honeydew melon, green apple, and herb. The finish is long with a slight oily feel. The wine is both delicate and powerful at the same time. 94-95
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5/7/2018 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 94 Points
Taken to Hawksmoor Air Street. After nearly an hour of air in the bottle it really opened to reveal whilte flower, white nectarine, peach, honeysuckle, green banana, burnt banana, and a finish that was slightly oily of bitter herb. Paired beautifully with my turbot. I still prefer the 2012 ad this will appeal to those who prefer more opulence and less minerality but it is a stunning wine. 94
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4/13/2018 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tropical fruit, honeyed notes, petrol mouthfeel and long finish. Muted nose. Beautiful and luscious wine. A more opulent and less minerally version of the 2012. 94
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3/24/2018 - Sen4469 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Good young wine but I prefer the 2015 tasted alongside. Great future.
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3/24/2018 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine:
Should have decanted - quite tight with oxidative notes then after an hour in the glass a beautiful waxy honeyed elixir with a smooth finish. Score withheld.
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3/11/2018 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was drank in less-than-ideal conditions (small glass, rushed meal, too warm initially, no decant) but still was a pleasure. Honey, custard, pineapple and mango with that trademark oily feel. I scored the 2012 a point higher but perhaps next time in more ideal conditions it will outshine as the depth was greater and everything seemed more opulent whereas the 2012 had a more minerally finish.
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2/17/2018 - retired_and_roving Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tampa Spring Break III; 2/16/2018-2/18/2018 (Tampa FL): This was just delicious for my palate, "white wine crack" actually. The second time I have gotten a recommendation to decant this wine before drinking (the other was for the 2011) - and I think it really helps to warm it up to room temp and let it unspool its flavors. On the nose here I am in a french bakery - heavenly. Tastes of lemon custard tart, smooth and creamy mouthfeel, the custard is tamed from being overblown by the acid and then minerals. The finish keeps on going. Awesome.
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2/17/2018 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Tampa Spring Break (the third); 2/16/2018-2/18/2018 (Various Tampa locations (Seasons 52, Capital Grille, Berns etc.)): Opened and decanted. For our first bonus bottle session of the day we have 4 wines and this was the only one to be totally kicked in that first round. Easy to see why. It's got a depth of character and the a lovely roundness and really is the white wine for red wine drinkers I think. I didn't take detailed notes, but I enjoyed every sip of this one.
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1/13/2018 - pbaek wrote:
Not as restrained and tight as the 2016 and not as wide and complex as the 2015 and perhaps on its way to shut down, this is a wonderful VV with marks of slightly honeyed fruit, nuts, fennel and lemon. Oily texture, full and round on the palate. Surely there is much more to come. Beaucastel evening chez Lillelunds.
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1/13/2018 - beatles wrote: 93 Points
Dinner with Beaucastel (Chez moi): Some gras here, but also fine acidity and balance. Harmony and length, certainly, could be closing down, though, it is a bit shy already. 93+ point.
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7/11/2017 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Chateau de Beaucastel Dinner (Ai Fiori (Langham Hotel on 5th Ave)): I generally subscribe to the theory that a good red will always beat a good white, but this wine makes me wonder about that. Great acidity. Beautiful tropical fruit. Honey. Very pretty. And the finish just goes on and on. Spectacular.
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6/10/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
A bit more mute than the last time I tasted it. It took some effort to bring out the ripe, tropical and citrus fruits with their exotic, slightly honeyed profile. With weight, and freshness, this is a treat. It's still quite primary at the moment, so time is needed here as I suspect there is more under the hood here.
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5/26/2017 - Tel007 wrote:
Simply beautiful, depth of fruit yet without the heavy weight Roussanne can sometimes have. Very easy to drink.
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5/9/2017 - nzinkgraf wrote:
Absolutely gorgeous wine from the get go. much more flowery after the basic 2014 Blanc. Rich fruit expression to the nose with some extract on the palate.
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3/17/2017 - Steve Brickley Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is drinking beautifully now right out of the bottle, although it can age. The nose is youthful with some reduction. Melon, gentle acid bite, no sweetness but Roussane fruit comes through, dry finish. A lovely wine.
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2/12/2017 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is obviously a fantastic wine. Despite the decadent flavors of cotton candy, creamy mango, and smoky custard, this wine drinks very well now. It's quite expressive and not as dense as I expected.
There is an interesting note on the Beaucastel website: "This exceptional wine must be drunk within 3 years or after 15 years." I'm glad I drank it now!
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11/28/2016 - jonanator wrote: 95 Points
Tasted at the estate. Now this is what I am talking about. My favourite CdP Blanc. This is what I want when I think of Roussanne. This was fantastic in every way. The finish really is out of this world. Hard to subscribe to Beaucastel's philosophy of drinking within 5 years of vintage or waiting until after 15 years, because this is just too good to resist right now. Incredible stuff
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11/3/2016 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Rule the Rhone; 10/27/2016-11/3/2016 (Northern & Southern Rhone): Prob served a bit on the cold side to being with but that gave us a great opportunity to see it evolve as it woke up. Lime, honey, hints of acidity and not as overpowering, but still a great mouthful. This is delicious and beautiful and elegant and expect it will only be more so. The finish is haunting - can still remember it.
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8/9/2016 - Raage Likes this wine: 94 Points
Magnifique Roussanne, d'une rare élegance, jamais fatigant, joliment parfumée (abricot, violette, fleur blanches... à l'aveugle, je serais probablement parti sur un grand Condrieu minéral), dénué de sensation alcooleuse et remarquablement equilibré.
Il se goutait vraiment bien jeune, avec une finale étirée, fraiche et roborative, légérement saline, sur des notes d'agrumes. Très joli!
Il gagnera évidemment en complexité avec l'âge, mais qu'il est bon a ce stade!
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6/23/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
From low yields of only12 hectoliters per hectare, the wine blasts off with honeyed citrus, orange, marzipan, crushed rock and herbs. The wine is fat, rich, lush and opulent, yet there is ample acidity keeping it fresh and lively on the palate. The finish really lingers and expands on the palate.
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6/3/2016 - Lazlo Toth wrote: 94 Points
This is a magnificent wine. This would probably have been in the discussion for the best white wine I have ever had if not for having tried the 2011 vintage of this wine. This is an outstanding achievement in a very difficult growing season and proof that this Beaucastel Roussanne Vieilles Vignes cuvee is as solid as they come.
The wine is a lively pale yellow color which seemingly catches the light better than most. It is clearly viscous which betrays its full body. The bouquet has lemon, passion fruit, oak and an impressive and appealing stony minerality. The palette is alive with meyer lemon, peach, lime and mango with pleasant creamy chalkiness in the long finish. Not quite as nuanced or layered as the 2011, but great acidity and resulting balance makes for a delicious and immediately accessible wine. I do not think this wine will age like the 2011 so drink up before it hits is dumb phase in 2019.
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5/21/2016 - jmcmchi wrote: 93 Points
A serious wine with rather more concentration than I expected from 25 hectolitres to the hectare
Bouquet is redolent of roussanne aromatics - honeysuckle, white peach, dry honey with stone underlay
Palate is creamy, reflecting the inclusion of new oak as part of the 8 months in barrel
Spicy, juicy, with multiple layers of mineral, dry honeysuckle and white berries; acidity is enough to keep this going a long time.
Great balance, big wine
93-95
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