Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape red 2015

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Joe Czerwinski, Aug. 2018) : 97/100. Bottled only a week before my visit, I was blown away by how well Beaucastel's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape was showing. It's full-bodied, creamy, lush and rich, with layers of raspberry fruit, garrigue and spice that unfold across a seamless palate. No doubt it will go through cycles of being open and closed throughout its lifespan, but it would be a mistake to simply order a case, put it into storage and forget about it without trying one first and swooning over the sheer lusciousness and youthful complexity. Drink date 2018-2035.
Marc Perrin describes 2017 as "a 'Californian' kind of vintage," but also says, "It's amazing how balanced the wines are. Across the board, these are the best pair of vintages since 89/90. I love the balance … and the best word for 2016 is purity. I don't think we've done a better vintage since I'm part of it."