Lovely wine. But I've been a fan of Beaucastel since I bought a case of the 1990 - last bottle in 2020. This isn't quite in the same league as the 1990 but is delicious nevertheless. Still a slight purple-hue but turning to deep crimson red. Dripping with legs Floral + meaty + tarry + red berry notes on the nose with sweet red fruit on the palate, with soft tannins and a crisp finish.
Well balanced with no hint of the 14.5%. Not sure of the assemblage of grape varieties.
Very drinkable now and paired nicely with a sausage pasta dish.
Day 2 Tertiary notes on the nose - spicy wood and mushrooms, smooth with Kirsch notes on the palate. Lacking the depth and vibrancy of day 1.
I'm no expert, but based on previous vintages I'd say this is in the second half of its drinking window.
I have cases of the '12, '13, '14, '15 and '16, '17 but stopped buying after that as I prefer lower alcohol wines now, and I'm not sure I'll be alive by the time the later vintages will ready and to my taste!!
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A dark colour, and dark, smoky fruit, slightly reticent and not quite as full as expected, at least initially, although it did open up with time and air. Other bottles have been better, but perhaps this one was not quite fully developed.
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Slight nose of violet and mineral. Deep wine with grilled plum and vanilla. Dried herbs on finish. An intense and beautiful wine with plenty of life left.
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3/24/2024 - Bumbanian Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully now, still a strong backbone of dark fruit, round but not flabby, good intensity and length.
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3/22/2024 - King Julien wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 30 min. Nice nose and palate consistent with past bottles, paired great with Greek Gyros.
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2/13/2024 - ProfAvi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lovely wine.
But I've been a fan of Beaucastel since I bought a case of the 1990 - last bottle in 2020.
This isn't quite in the same league as the 1990 but is delicious nevertheless. Still a slight purple-hue but turning to deep crimson red. Dripping with legs Floral + meaty + tarry + red berry notes on the nose with sweet red fruit on the palate, with soft tannins and a crisp finish.
Well balanced with no hint of the 14.5%. Not sure of the assemblage of grape varieties.
Very drinkable now and paired nicely with a sausage pasta dish.
Day 2
Tertiary notes on the nose - spicy wood and mushrooms, smooth with Kirsch notes on the palate.
Lacking the depth and vibrancy of day 1.
I'm no expert, but based on previous vintages I'd say this is in the second half of its drinking window.
I have cases of the '12, '13, '14, '15 and '16, '17 but stopped buying after that as I prefer lower alcohol wines now, and I'm not sure I'll be alive by the time the later vintages will ready and to my taste!!
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2/5/2024 - La Grappe wrote: 91 Points
A dark colour, and dark, smoky fruit, slightly reticent and not quite as full as expected, at least initially, although it did open up with time and air. Other bottles have been better, but perhaps this one was not quite fully developed.
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12/26/2023 - gstutz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Slight nose of violet and mineral. Deep wine with grilled plum and vanilla. Dried herbs on finish. An intense and beautiful wine with plenty of life left.
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