89 -91 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 1999

Yields for the 1997 Chateauneuf du Pape were tiny, averaging 22 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine is one of the most seductive and forward young Beaucastels I have tasted since the 1985. The blend was 35% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 10% Counoise, 5% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, and the rest other southern Rhone varietals. The deep ruby color is accompanied by forward, attractive aromatics consisting of black raspberries, cherries, licorice, floral, and herb scents. The wine is fruit-driven, with less structure than usual, but luscious cassis, licorice, and blackberries inundate the palate with no hard edges. A seductive, supple-textured, medium to full-bodied Beaucastel, this wine should drink well young, and last for 15 or more years. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

93 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 1999

The 1997 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc (now packaged in an attractive heavy antique bottle) is a blend of 80% Roussanne, 15% Grenache Blanc, and 5% diverse white varietals. 1997 was an excellent vintage for white Chateauneuf du Pape, and this wine reveals the bold, fleshy, sappy, full-bodied fruit so evident in the vintage. The 1997 exhibits plenty of honeyed citrus and floral (rose) scents, an unctuous texture, good glycerin, and heady alcohol in the long, luscious finish. This impressively-endowed Chateauneuf is ideal for drinking over the next decade or more. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

90 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, February 2000

Good deep ruby-red. Spicy aromas of black cherry and bitter chocolate; the 40% mourvedre component gives this wine unusual freshness for a '97. Silky but bright on the palate, with leather and game nuances adding complexity to the black fruit flavors. Brisk finish hints at tree bark and leather. 90 points

89 -92 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, February 1999

Deep red-ruby color. Highly aromatic nose of black cherry, blueberry, violet, mint and flowers. Intensely flavored, fruity and bright for the vintage. All fruit today. Finishes with dusty, ripe tannins and sneaky length. 89-92 points

88 points,

Wine Spectator, December 1999

A clever effort for '97. Dark and fruit-driven, this fresh, compacted Châteauneuf delivers blackberry, toasted oak, plum and game. The tannins are well integrated in the ways of modern winemaking. Drink now through 2005. (PM)

About Winery

Among the prominent people in the town of Courthezon during the sixteenth century was the Beaucastel family. In 1549, "Noble Pierre de Beaucastel" bought "a barn with its land holdings, containing 25 saumées at Coudoulet". More than four centuries later, this remarkable domaine, known today at Château de Beaucastel, is producing what most people acknowledge to be the finest wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

"Beaucastel and its subsidiary wines marketed under the Perrin et Fils moniker are consistently among the bright shining stars of France. I have been visiting this estate for nearly thirty years, and over that time I have seen all the elements of what makes wines great - an incredible respect for the vineyards, a conscientious, uncompromising work ethic, and extraordinary passion for gentle handling of fruit from their sites." -Robert Parker

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