The Beaucastel 2011 Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is another remarkable wine. Think of it as the 2010 with more minerality and precision. It has astonishing richness and length as well as massive body with great acidity. Drink it over the next 5-8 years. - Robert Parker

The star of the show, at least where the whites are concerned, is the 2011 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Roussanne Vieilles Vignes. A blend of 100% Roussanne that is aged half in new barrel and half in stainless steel, from a single plot of very old vines and from ridiculous yields of 10 hl/ha, it offers extraordinary aromatics of apricot, vanilla crème, hints of flowers, and a crushed rock an and almost liquid mineral quality to go with a full-bodied, rich, thick, yet never heavy palate feel. This has real backbone and tannic structure, yet also possesses layers of fruit and richness that stays vividly fresh and focused. It is knockout stuff and certainly the top white produced in the appellation. It should benefit from a year or three in bottle, and then evolve gracefully for a number of years. Do not be afraid to open this in its youth though, as it is a smoking bottle of wine.