2011 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Roussanne

Borderline perfection, the sensational 2011 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force in white from the southern Rhône. A blend of 100% Roussanne 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 a thick, opulent style and is loaded with notions of buttered citrus, flower oil, marmalade, and crushed rocks. While it hits the palate with a wealth of sweet fruit on the attack, it turns clean, mineral-laced and dry on the finish, with incredible length. This full-bodied, heavenly dry white can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15+ years.

This is the famous all-Roussanne cuvée. It seemed scented, quite oaky, rich, very full bodied and had markedly low acidity. I persuaded myself it was a Viognier, possibly from outside Europe.  A particularly blustering Yalumba perhaps? (JR)

Very sumptuous nose. Naughtily, I think it puts me in mind of Giaconda’s Roussanne! Floral, broad, lifted. Tastes quite sweet. With an impressive undertow. And quite a bit of alcohol. This will surely develop in bottle. A little chewy on the end. (JR)