WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Domaine de Beaurenard’s flagship wine is a quintessential blend, reflecting all the diversity of the terroir and the perfect synergy that exists between the soils and the grapes. It offers a supple and refined texture associated with a delicate aromatic palette that is the result of a constant quest for freshness.
TASTING NOTES:
Darkly coloured, deeply fruited - a promising start. Dense, concentrated and fairly tannic but with good freshness and great vibrancy of fruit. This has all it needs to age; it promises to be longer lived than most 2018s. The alcohol is the only thing holding it back from very long ageing - will poke out in time. A very good, classic, fresh clean style, not overly polished, but it has more energy than most in this vintage. Biodynamically-grown Grenache (66%), Syrah (15%) and Mourvèdre (10%), the rest being made up of Clairette Rose, Cinsault, Grenache Gris, Terret Noir, Picardan, Picpoul Blanc, Muscardin, Bourboulenc, Picpoul Noir, Vaccarèse, Roussanne, Picpoul Gris, Counoise and Clairette! They are grown on soils that are roughly one third each galets roulés, sand and chalk, and vinified mostly in stainless steel and tronconic wooden vats, then aged in oak barrels of various sizes and ages, including 5% new oak.
- Decanter, 94 pts.
This is a rock-solid offering, with a core of dark fresh plum, succulent raspberry and gently steeped blackberry fruit flavors lined with graphite, anise and wood spice accents. Shows solid grip and nice energy for cellaring. Best from 2022.
- Wine Spectator, 93 pts.
Hints of roast meat and espresso are backed by plummy notes on the nose of the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape. It's a dense, concentrated and somewhat sturdy wine, full-bodied and muscular yet svelte, with blackberry and chocolate notes emerging on the long, silky-textured finish. Solidly built and nicely balanced, it should drink well for at least a decade.
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 pts.
