Chateau de Beaucastel Blanc, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2022

Fantastic nose of cooked apricots, a wide spectrum of candied fruit and toasted nuts. Full-bodied, concentrated and creamy, with a very caressing texture on the mid palate and a very long finish that has great restrained power. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc brings another level of precision and focus. Honeyed quince, white flowers, honeysuckle, chalky minerality, and toasted spice notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with beautiful mid-palate depth and a remarkable sense of freshness while staying rich and textured. One of the stalwarts of the appellation, Château de Beaucastel continues to produce an incredible array of wines from their estate in the northwestern edge of the appellation. Looking at the vintages reviewed here, the 2022s are ripe, sexy wines that bring to mind 2019 or even 2009. The whites are absolutely brilliant, and while only tasted from barrel, the 2022s will certainly be incredible wines. The 2021s also showed well and possess more depth and density than most in the vintage. In general, Mourvèdre seemed more challenging in 2021, but you certainly wouldn’t have that impression after tasting at Beaucastel. The closest comparison here for the 2021s would be the 2008s, which are balanced, elegant wines that are still drinking beautifully today. The 2021s should be a step up in quality, although I suspect they will evolve along a similar trajectory. Lastly, the estate is wrapping up a massive renovation of the cellar that was built with sustainability front and center and will be using an evaporative cooling mechanism with stored rainwater.

Roughly 80% Roussanne, with the balance a mix of other permitted white varieties, Beaucastel's 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a fine, fine effort. Tangerine and peach notes are plump and round on the full-bodied palate, which is quite rich and plush in feel yet long and harmonious on the finish. The ability to be so ripe and sumptuous yet balanced is truly remarkable. 2023-2030.