The 2009 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is a proprietary blend from the renowned Chateau de Beaucastel in the Southern Rhone region of France. This red wine, sealed with a cork and boasting an alcohol content of 14.5%, has garnered significant praise from several distinguished reviewers.
Robert Parker of Wine Advocate likens this vintage to the acclaimed 1985 Beaucastel, noting its "soft tannins as well as a silky, open-knit seductiveness" and a "beautiful perfume of smoky Provencal herbs intermixed with grilled steak juices, garrigue, kirsch, and blue as well as black fruits." Parker awards it a high score of 94, emphasizing its full-bodied, unctuously textured character and predicting it will drink well for 25 or more years.
Wine Spectator is particularly enamored with this wine, giving it a stellar 96 points. The review highlights its "dark smoldering cocoa, mesquite, tobacco, and roasted fig notes," along with "pure cassis and plum preserves fruit flavors." The publication describes the wine as "long and authoritative on the finish," suggesting it will be best enjoyed between 2015 and 2026.
Chuck Hayward of JJ Buckley provides a detailed breakdown of the blend, comprising 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and 10% other varietals. He describes the wine as "darkly colored red with a barely opaque core" and notes its "hints of herbs and dried cherry" on the palate. Hayward scores it 93 and advises giving it a few years to reach its peak, projecting it will be best in 12-15 years.
Jeb Dunnuck, also scoring it 96, remarks on the wine's "superb aromatic display of kirsch and black cherry-like fruits" and its "fleshy, ripe fruit, good acidity, and an abundance of structure." He suggests it will benefit from 7-8 years of aging and then can be enjoyed over the following two decades.
James Suckling and Jeff Leve both provide strong reviews, with Suckling noting the "extremely expressive Grenache fruits" and Leve praising the "lush, round, ripe, opulent fruits, with a peppery edge." Both reviewers emphasize the wine's potential for aging and improvement over time.
In summary, the 2009 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is a well-regarded red wine with a complex bouquet and robust structure, promising a rewarding drinking experience both now and in the years to come.