Chateau de Beaucastel Rouge, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2020

Very dense black-fruit aromas, but also licorice, an entire microcosm of spice and a whiff of smoked bacon. Very dense and meaty with an incredible tannin structure that enables this to be simultaneously very big and elegant. Super-long finish with enormous mineral freshness. Drink or hold.

Fresh and bright nose, then a palate with exceptionally smooth and fine tannins, lovely acidity and notes of blackberry and raspberry juice. Particularly fine, elegant and balanced this year. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudre.

Beaucastel's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is shaping up as a blend of 30% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% each Counoise and Syrah, plus 20% other permitted varieties, including a healthy proportion of white grapes. Complex and red-fruited, with hints of flowers and garrigue, it's expansive and richly textured on the palate, finishing long and silky.

The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape displays pronounced aromas of ripe forest strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, licorice, mint, cured meat, dried herbs and hints of tobacco. On the palate it is full-bodied, concentrated, muscular and framed by polished tannins. Lively acids perfectly balance it, ending with excellent persistence on the savory finish. Producing this high level of quality with a whopping 180,000 bottles is remarkable in the context of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Now from bottle, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape shows the supple, layered style of the vintage. Red and black fruits, leafy herbs, spring flowers, spice, and some meaty notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a supple, layered mouthfeel and ripe, almost velvety tannins.