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Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes 2021

AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vallée du Rhône, France

"Brimming with citrus and acacia-blossom aromas, this extremely concentrated dry white has astonishing tension and vitality for this appellation. How can you resist the floral honey note at the fleshy heart of this masterpiece, or the astonishing mineral freshness at the super-long finish? 100% Roussanne from ancient vines. From organically grown grapes."

"Great concentration this year, making for a really intense, sappy Roussanne; pear tarte tatin flavours, alongside the intense cigar tobacco, cedar and sandalwood. Dense and concentrated, it's weightier than the 2020 vintage, and riper and denser than most 2021 Châteauneuf blancs. Huge length. The oaking is robust, it shows quite strongly so give this time. All aged in oak, half new, half one-year-old, mostly demi-muids."

"In contrast, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes (100% Roussanne) is brought up in all new oak, and it has a normal pH of 3.7 and an alcohol of 14.5%. (In comparison, the classic white has a pH of 3.6 and slightly less alcohol at 14%.) Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has a gorgeous perfume of caramelized white peach, acacia flowers, toasted spices, and orange blossom. One of the most powerful, concentrated whites in the vintage, its oak is perfectly integrated, it's flawlessly balanced, and as I've written in the past, it's the Montrachet of the Southern Rhône! "

"This is more about subdued power and savory energy than flamboyancy. Offers yellow apple and glazed peach notes that are caressing in feel, with a gentle robe of warm oak and toasted hazelnut. Gains nice balance and energy from grapefruit pithiness. Well-melded and refined, with generous crushed flint elements on the long finish"