2016 Chateauneuf Du Pape
By Chateau de Beaucastel
2016 Chateauneuf du Pape from Chateau de Beaucastel - The vintage that symbolises excellence
Revered amongst lovers of fine Rhone wines, the 2016 release of Chateauneuf du Pape from Chateau de Beaucastel imparts a delightful symphony of delightful flavours capable of captivating both savant and novice alike. This mature vintage, effortlessly balancing lushness and precision, eloquently reveals why Beaucastel is widely celebrated for their capacity to articulate the exceptional nuances of great years.
Rhone's elegant envoy
Situated in the revered terroirs of this historic appellation, Chateau de Beaucastel has crafted a hypnotic chorus with the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape. It is an opera in a bottle; a profound embodiment of the high-stakes performances poured into these noble vineyards year after year, culminating in this preserved nectar of rare complexity and longevity. Indeed, it's an enticing proposition for wine investors judging by its high critical acclaim.
A rich, gregarious testament to the conditions gifted by Mother Nature in 2016, this wine unwraps itself in layers. The opening notes offer an enticing prelude of ripe black fruits accompanied by heady whispers of Mediterranean herbs - proof that even in youth, Rhone wines can be ethereally elegant and captivatingly concentrated.
Ideal Vintage, prestigious portfolio
The 2016 vintage was uniquely suited to drawing out sumptuous, elongated expressions from Grenache vines without sacrificing depth or structure, enriching this vintage with luscious elegance married with voracious power. An iconic syrah is evident among the profound harmony of the thirteen grape varieties permitted in this AOC, demonstrating both the design and skill of Beaucastel's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape execution.
For the discerning investor with tastes that lean towards the profound, this marked vintage is deserving of a place in a prestigious portfolio. Its capacity to evolve over time assures cellar longevity while unexpected grace notes promise continued investment value.
This compelling 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape from Chateau de Beaucastel acts as a seal on a year remembered for its balanced climatic behaviour in the Rhone Valley, encapsulating singular qualities that can only be associated with this unique terroir - an irreplaceable testament to Rhone's bounty, bottled pridefully for sipping today or cellaring tomorrow.
Market price (SGD)
$1,390.00
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
48.82
Scores and tasting notes
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.
Joe Czerwinski - The Wine Advocate, 31 August 2018