Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019

The Beaucastel name is synonymous with the Southern Rhône appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The estate’s history dates to 1549 and the Perrin family, who took control in 1909, has been a pioneer in elevating Châteauneuf to the world stage. They moved to organic farming in 1950 and biodynamic farming in 1974—decades before it was widespread. As dry, hot years have become the norm here, the fifth generation at the helm has become an important voice on climate change, spearheading vineyard and winery solutions, such as increasing the percentage of heat-hardy Mourvèdre in the blend and reducing the traditionally dominant Grenache in order to retain freshness and finesse.

Tasting Note

This is pretty gorgeous, with a remarkably pure display of cassis, cherry puree and plum reduction flavors laced ever so gently with threads of leather, alder and dried garrigue. The sleek iron spine is buried deeply on the finish, and there’s a lingering hint of warm stone as the fruit echoes through. Built to last. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Picardan and Roussanne. Best from 2024 through 2040. 7,000 cases made.—James Molesworth