2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Roussanne, Vieilles Vignes, Château de Beaucastel, Rhône

  • White
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
  • Roussanne
Ready, but will keep
Robert Parker
97+/100
Jancis Robinson MW
17+/20
Robert Parker
94/100
Product: 20101314885
2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Roussanne, Vieilles Vignes, Château de Beaucastel, Rhône

Description

From 1909 plantings, thus well into its second century , this is one of the greatest , most intriguing white wines in the world, its greatness immediately obvious such is its rich texture, and its beguiling combination of honey, lemon zest and white flowers, all in wonderful suspended tension.

Intriguing because after five years the wine will be overtaken by somnolence and assume a dark colour and an unnerving rancio odour... only to emerge a few years later into a second childhood, seemingly fresher than ever, but with the finely-wrought wisdom of minerality etched into its persona.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

Beaucastel occupies an almost homogenous 100 hectare plot in the north-east zone of the appellation, the zone which is perhaps the most resistant to rapid climate change as it is the most exposed to the Mistral and has a great number of the famous pudding stones, with their capacity to regulate excess temperature over the course of a day and a night.

The reputation of the property continues to climb, its stewardship now secure in the hands of the next generation of Perrins. One of whom, the affable yet very industrious Marc, maintains that he has not seen a vintage better than 2010. For him the nearest comparisons are 1978 and 1962, the latter of which he will not have encountered personally, merely though the enviable library stock held at the property.

Colour White
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2010
Alcohol % 14
Maturity Ready, but will keep
Grape List Roussanne
Body Full Bodied
Producer Château de Beaucastel

Critics reviews

Robert Parker 97+/100
The 2010 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes has off-the-charts richness. Keep in mind, the elevage here is slightly different, as it is aged in one-year-old barrels with a touch of new oak, but like its sibling, no longer undergoes malolactic fermentation. A profound wine with hints of nectarine, mango, subtle smoke, rose petals, this sumptuous, full-throttle wine has unmistakable minerality, a skyscraper-like texture and an amazingly laser-like finish with incredible amounts of glycerin and fruit. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Although some vintages can last 20-30 years, they undergo radical changes in their evolution, making it almost impossible to guess where they are in evolutionary terms.Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 31/10/2012
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (Oct 2012)
Jancis Robinson MW 17+/20
Marked gold already. Stern marzipan nose. Very tight and young. Hidden depths. Very long and satin texture. Mineral streak here. jancis_robinson_mw MW & julia_harding MW - www.JancisRobinson.com - 20 Dec 2011)
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (Dec 2011)
Robert Parker 94/100
The luxury cuvee, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes (Roussanne) (100% Roussanne aged in one-year-old barrels as well as new oak that no longer undergoes malolactic fermentation) is a prodigious dry white. A luxurious amount of rose water notes intermixed with honeysuckle, pineapple, nectarine, peach and subtle smoke emerge from this beauty. It possesses a terrific texture, zesty acids, an unmistakable minerality and a sumptuous personality. (robert_parker - Wine Advocate #197 Oct 2011) Brothers Jean-Pierre and Francois Perrin as well as their four sons, Thomas, Marc, Pierre and Mathieu, have quickly become the dominate wine producers of the entire southern Rhone Valley. They have expanded their operation even further by partnering with the Jaboulets. Now having over 1,200 acres in vine and extensive contracts, this is a high quality locomotive, great news for consumers seeking a range of top quality red and white wines in all price ranges.
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (Oct 2011)

About this wine

Roussanne

Roussanne is one of the most important white grape varieties in the Rhône Valley. It is a particularly pernickety grape to cultivate being a notoriously low yielder as well as being highly susceptible to rot. It is difficult to ripen, and seemingly prone to oxidation at every opportunity. Roussanne's name comes from its russet-coloured skin and it produces richly aromatic wines, often with fruit characteristics of lime and blossom.
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Chateau de Beaucastel

The Perrin family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are one of the Rhône Valley’s greatest vineyard owners. With over 200 hectares of top level, prime vineyards at their fingertips, they have the terroir and skill required to produce some of the region’s finest wines.
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