Ch.de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2003 750ml

Wine Advocate #207, Jun 28, 2013
One of the weaker vintages for this estate yet still outstanding, the 2003 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape delivers a surprisingly fresh profile, yet ten years after the vintage, it is entering the early stages of maturity. Loaded with red and black currants, iron, beef blood, rolled stone and garrigue on the nose, with no roasted fruit or over ripeness, it shines on the palate with excellent depth and richness. Medium to full-bodied, supple and integrated, with plenty of ripe fruit, it should continue to evolve for a handful of years. Consume it over the coming decade, max.

100 hectares of Chateau Beaucastel are planted to vines. 70 of those hectares are located in Chateauneuf du Pape in the Chapouin and Coudoulet lieux-dits. The other 30 hectares are situated in the Cotes du Rhone appellation of Coudoulet.
Beaucastel is known for having plantings of all 13 grapes for the red wine. They also include close to 5% of their white grape varieties in the final blend as well.
This was quite risky Beaucastel begin to farm their vineyards organically in 1950. By 1974, they were also one of the first to farm using biodynamic farming techniques.
For their red wine, Chateau Beaucastel produces 4 wines; Beaucastel, Coudoulet de Beaucastel and Les Sinards along with the rare, expensive and sublime, Hommage a Jacques Perrin.
Starting with the 2009 vintage, Beaucastel became one of the first wines outside of Bordeaux to be sold on the Place de Bordeaux by Bordeaux negociants. The Perrin family also produces one of the best red and white wines from their 30 hectares of vines in the Cotes du Rhone.

Meats, Lamb