1995 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc

The 1995 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc (80% Roussanne, 15% Grenache Blanc, and 5% various other white wine varietals) sees 25% small oak casks. It is a rich, dense, opulently-styled wine with copious quantities of honeyed fruit, considerable power, and a rose petal/honeyed richness with a touch of toast and spice. Drink this long, delicious, thick Beaucastel over the next few years before it closes down. It will age for 10-15 or more years. This wine was tasted between June 1 and June 16, 1996. Beaucastel represents the highest level of serious, artisanal winemaking, but readers need to keep in mind that Beaucastel is the most atypical wine of Chateauneuf du Pape, so different, it almost deserves its own appellation. Beaucastel has had spectacular vintages in both 1994 and 1995. In 1994, the estate began its harvest early (August 31). In 1995, the key was to wait out the two weeks of intermittent showers between September 7 and 19, and pick late. The success of this philosophy was seen time and time again when tasting the successes and mediocrities of the two vintages. Those producers who harvested early in 1994 made the finest wines, but in contrast, those who picked late in 1995 were usually the most successful. Beaucastel has continued to refine their white wine program, utilizing a small amount of barrel aging in addition to some new casks. The results are increasingly delicious, and in the case of the cuvee of old vine Roussanne, sumptuous. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Chester, VT; tel. (802) 875-2139