Chateau de Beaucastel   Chateauneuf Du Pape

2001 Chateauneuf Du Pape

By Chateau de Beaucastel

2001 Chateauneuf Du Pape from Chateau de Beaucastel, Rhone

The swirling complexity of the 2001 Chateauneuf Du Pape from Chateau de Beaucastel paints an opulently illustrated spectacle on the canvases of each glass when poured. This exceptional vintage hails from Beaucastel, an estate famous for achieving dizzying heights in the digital amphitheatre of wine investment. The 2001 vintage stands as a testament to their ceaseless pursuit of balance.

 

Eloquence of the Vine: A Dynamic Palette

Chateau de Beaucastel is a name revered in Rhone winemaking panorama, a master craftsmen adept at synchronizing Rhone's manifold grape varietals. Even by said high standard, the 2001 Chateauneuf Du Pape exhibits superlative refinement.

Delicately treading the line between bold and subtle, it parades an exquisite fusion of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and other native Rhone varietals into each intrepid decanter. This vinous cacophony is harmonised through meticulous vinification techniques that are the birthright of Beaucastel's seasoned wine artisans.

 

A Vintage Marked with Distinction

The Rhone river valley in 2001 was kissed by Mother Nature with an ideal balance of sunshine and rain, weaving a tapestry of near perfect growing conditions. This climatic serendipity has allowed the Chateauneuf Du Pape to embody revelatory depth and unparalleled maturity. The balance between robust fruit essences and delectable spiced undertones renders it quite omnipresent on the palate.

This red wine’s riveting narrative segues seamlessly from ripe plum and fig character upfront to an ardent, lingering symphony of black truffle, kirsch and wild lavender in its denouement. The oenophile seeking layered complexity added to their fine wine portfolio will find a leading candidate in this remarkable Southern Rhone blend.

On each sip the 2001 Chateauneuf Du Pape reaffirms Chateau de Beaucastel's mantelpiece in the pantheon of fine wines. An investment not only into a bottle filled with opulent nectar but also a storied history of one of Rhone's finest domains.

Market price (GBP)

£1,010.00

12x75cl

Highest score

96

POP score

63.13

Scores and tasting notes

96

Beaucastel has been on a terrific qualitative roll over the last four vintages, and the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape (which Francois Perrin feels is similar to the 1990, although I don’t see that as of yet) is a 15,000-case blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the balance split among the other permitted varietals of the appellation. This inky/ruby/purple-colored cuvee offers a classic Beaucastel bouquet of new saddle leather, cigar smoke, roasted herbs, black truffles, underbrush, and blackberry as well as cherry fruit. It is a superb, earthy expression of this Mourvedre-dominated cuvee. Full-bodied and powerful, it will undoubtedly close down over the next several years, not to re-emerge for 7-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 26 February 2004

Vintage performance