2001 Chateau de Beaucastel Rouge, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1×1.5L

Robert Parker 93

The 2001 completely out-shines the 2008. At ten years of age it has a lovely wild mushroom bouquet, undergrowth, mulberry and Provencal herbs, the Mourvedre seeming to shout the loudest amongst the thirteen varieties. The palate is medium-bodied with lovely rounded tannins; notes of dark cherry, black olive and white pepper with very fine weight and persistency on the glycerin-tinged finish. Superb. Tasted November 2011. [Neal Martin, 11/01/2011]

Vinous 92+

Bright ruby-red. Liqueur-like raspberry, licorice and a medicinal quality on the nose. Then quite backward in the mouth, with very primary dark berry and black cherry flavors hinting at great ripeness. Quite primary today and less animal than usual for a young Beaucastel. Elegant, slow-building finish features fine-grained tannins and excellent grip. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/01/2004]