Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2021 (RP:94, JS:94)

Château de Beaucastel 一直以來被喻為偉大的法國酒，在葡萄酒界之中都一致公認為有良好的平衡、優雅和陳年能力。Beaucastel 位於產區北部邊緣，受 Mistral 風影響，風土非同凡響。由六十年代開始，酒莊就種植了產區內全部十三種葡萄。

產區保護條例：
法國隆河谷 AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape

產地：
法國

種類：
紅葡萄酒

葡萄品種：
30% Grenache,
30% Mourvèdre,
10% Syrah,
10% Counoise,
5% Cinsault,
10% Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne

酒精度：
14.5%

釀造：
每款葡萄都以人手分開收成，Mourvèdre和Syrah等有機會減退的葡萄會於橡木桶發酵，而像Grenache般易於氧化的葡萄則會於傳統的混凝土缸發酵。蘋果酸-乳酸二次發酵後，酒莊會混合不同品種，再把酒放於橡木桶陳放一年，然後裝瓶。

品酒筆記：
(Robert Parker's rating: 94 points)
這款2021年的教皇新堡，在副牌Coudelet的基礎上提升了酒體的強度，添加了更鮮明的Mourvedre所帶來的松露和樹皮香氣，配搭成熟的黑櫻桃、布冧、碎石和一絲黑朱古力的味道。酒體濃郁飽滿，單寧柔和，餘韻悠長而柔滑，帶有甘草和深色水果的味道。這是一個艱難年份中的佼佼者。

(James Suckling's rating : 94 points)
雖然果味較含蓄，但已經散發出肉感、薰衣草及迷迭香的香氣。結構良好，清脆，單寧在口中穩定地流過。濃縮而成熟的紅果巧妙地包着核心，餘韻悠長、富香料和甘草味。來自有機種植的葡萄。(品飲於2023年)

Château Beaucastel has long been considered one of the great wines of France. It is unanimously renowned for its balance, elegance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an extraordinary terroir at the Northern end of the appellation with heavy exposure to the Mistral. All 13 varieties of the appellation have been organically grown here since the sixties.

Appellation:
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vallée du Rhône, France

Country of Origin:
France

Type:
Red/Rouge (Still)

Grape Varieties:
30% Grenache,
30% Mourvèdre,
10% Syrah,
10% Counoise,
5% Cinsault,
10% Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne

ABV:
14.5%

Vinification:
Each variety is harvested manually and separately. Vinification is completed in truncated oak barrels for the reductive grapes (Mourvèdre and Syrah) and in traditional tiled cement tanks for the oxidative grapes (such as Grenache). After the malolactic fermentations, the family blends the different varieties and then the wine ages in oak Foudres for a year before being bottled.

Tasting Notes:
(Robert Parker's rating: 94 points)
The 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape ratchets up the intensity from the Coudelet, adding more pronounced Mourvèdre-derived notes of truffle and tree bark to go with ripe black cherries and plums, crushed stone and hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied in the mouth, with ample concentration and richness, this gently tannic wine finishes long and velvety, with echoes of licorice and dark fruit. It's a standout from a difficult vintage.

(James Suckling's rating: 94 points)
Still a little closed, so the fruit is a bit reserved, but there are already meaty, lavender and rosemary aromas. Well-structured and crisp, the tannins building steadily as it flows over the palate. The concentrated and ripe red fruit is very deftly wrapped around the core. Long, spicy, and licorice finish. From organically grown grapes. (Published in 2023)