The 2015 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, with a 14.5% alcohol content, showcases the complex and expressive characteristics typical of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through Joe Czerwinski, awarded this vintage a score of 96, highlighting its impressive production volume and quality. Czerwinski describes it as "loaded with black cherry fruit and cola-like spice," noting the wine's full-bodied, richly textured profile that avoids heaviness. He adds that the exotic Indian spice notes on the finish suggest it will age well for at least 20 years (Wine Advocate, 10/31/2017).
Wine Spectator gave this wine an excellent score of 97, calling it "a stunner from the get-go." The review by JM emphasizes the seductive waves of boysenberry, plum, blueberry, and raspberry reduction, complemented by notes of roasted apple wood, rooibos tea, bergamot, and anise. The wine's "Turkish coffee accent and a hint of alder" contribute to its seriously long finish (Wine Spectator, 2/28/2018).
Jeb Dunnuck also scored the wine 96, noting its blend composition: 30% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. He praises its "beautiful, layered, ripe, decadent" nature, marked by flavors of black cherries, currants, garrigue, crushed rocks, and tapenade. Dunnuck believes this wine will keep for 2-3 decades (jebdunnuck.com, 3/20/2018).
James Suckling awarded the wine another high score of 97, remarking on its "dark fruited, blueberry and blue plum nose" and "wide swinging tannins." He also notes elements of white pepper, violets, brooding dark spices, and dark stones, describing the wine as "impressive, powerful" and recommending it for drinking from 2025 (jamessuckling.com, 1/8/2018).
Decanter's 95-point review highlights its "youthful and lifted" nose with notes of red cherries, raspberries, and a hint of pepper. The firm tannins, mineral core, and harmonious finish suggest it should be left to age for at least a decade (Decanter, 11/18/2017).
Lastly, Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider also scored it 96, describing the wine as rich and full-bodied with "peppery fruits from start to finish." He emphasizes its balance, concentration, and long-lasting freshness, noting the "sweet, ripe, cherry and plummy fruits" and an almost exotic texture (TheWineCellarInsider.com, 8/21/2017).
In summary, the 2015 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is a critically acclaimed wine, praised for its rich, complex flavors and excellent aging potential.