Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2018 is the estate's flagship red from one of the great terroirs at the northern edge of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

Beaucastel is renowned for balance, elegance and ageing potential, and for its distinctive use of all thirteen grape varieties authorised in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

In 2018, Grenache and Mourvèdre share the leading role in the blend, supported by Syrah, Counoise, Cinsault and the remaining traditional varieties of the appellation.

The estate describes 2018 as a vintage of exceptional climatic conditions. Flowering took place under excellent conditions, initially producing historically abundant fruit.

Rainfall at the end of spring brought significant mildew pressure, but fine weather subsequently established itself and continued through harvest.

The grapes were ultimately harvested in what Beaucastel describes as idyllic conditions, producing a vintage of notable quality.

• 30% Grenache
• 30% Mourvèdre
• 15% Syrah
• 10% Counoise
• 5% Cinsault
• 10% combined: Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc and Roussanne

This broad assemblage reflects Beaucastel's long-standing commitment to the full diversity of grape varieties permitted within Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Château de Beaucastel lies in the northern part of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, between Orange and Avignon, where the estate is strongly exposed to the Mistral.

The terroir combines the classic rolled pebbles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape at the surface with clay, sand and limestone deeper in the soil.

The old vines have been organically cultivated for more than fifty years, encouraging deep root systems capable of exploring the estate's layered soils.

• Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
• Region: Rhône Valley
• Red Vineyard: 70 hectares
• Estate: Approximately 110 hectares in one continuous block
• Soils: Rolled pebbles, clay, sand and limestone

Each grape variety is harvested separately by hand and vinified according to its individual character.

Mourvèdre and Syrah, considered the more reductive varieties, are vinified in truncated-cone wooden vats.

The other varieties are vinified in traditional concrete and enamelled stoneware tanks.

Following malolactic fermentation, the Perrin family assembles the different varieties to create the final Château de Beaucastel blend.

After blending, Château de Beaucastel 2018 is matured for one year in large oak foudres before bottling.

• Ageing: 12 months
• Vessel: Oak foudres

Appearance

Elegant deep ruby red.

Nose

Powerful and elegant, with expressive notes of spice, cherry and cocoa.

Palate

Elegant and beautifully balanced, with a dense structure supported by fine tannins.

Complex red-fruit character includes blackcurrant together with floral notes.

Finish

Exceptionally long and harmonious, with the refinement and elegance characteristic of Château de Beaucastel.

Château de Beaucastel recommends serving the wine at around 15°C and, where possible, decanting before service.

• Producer: Château de Beaucastel
• Vintage: 2018
• Country: France
• Region: Rhône Valley
• Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
• Wine Type: Red Wine
• Grenache: 30%
• Mourvèdre: 30%
• Syrah: 15%
• Counoise: 10%
• Cinsault: 5%
• Other Traditional Varieties: 10%
• Harvest: Hand harvested by variety
• Ageing: 12 months in oak foudres
• Viticulture: Organic cultivation established since the 1960s

Serve at approximately 15°C and decant before drinking, particularly if opening the wine now.

Use a generous Bordeaux or Rhône-style glass to allow its spice, dark fruit, floral character and complex structure to unfold.

Pair with roast lamb, beef, game, duck, slow-cooked meats, Provençal dishes, mushrooms and mature cheeses.

Château de Beaucastel is distinctive among the great wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for both its unusually important Mourvèdre component and its commitment to the appellation's full range of traditional grape varieties.

The 2018 brings together deep ruby colour, spice, cherry, cocoa, blackcurrant and floral notes with fine tannins and exceptional length, delivering the balance of power and refinement for which Beaucastel is known.