2014 Château de Beaucastel "Vieilles Vignes" Rousanne Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

“Now 11 years old, this is taking on some colour, a touch of gold. Lovely open nose of almond, quince jelly and poached pears, which are repeated on the palate, with a touch of saffron to the pear fruit. Delightful sense of tension, it’s very fresh, saline and beginning to take on mineral notes. It smells 'like opening a beehive’, according to winemaker César Perrin. Lovely sense of freshness and tension, it has now arrived at its mineral phase and is drinking brilliantly. From a single parcel of Roussanne, planted in 1919 and grown biodynamically. Aged in one-year-old demi-muids and barriques. Maximum of 6,000 bottles per year. (MW)” (02/2025)

“100% roussanne planted in 1909, there's a low yielding concentration. The richness and texture is impressive, but it has a lightness, too. Bright peach and chalky minerals, with iodine and saline. Fresh and long. A great vintage with decades ahead.” (07/2017)

“A big step up over the classic cuvee (which isn’t always a given), the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is 100% Roussanne from ancient vines, some of which are over 100 years in age. A deeper, richer version of the traditional cuvee, it reveals a medium-gold color to go with sensational notes of white currants, quince, brioche, honeysuckle and lemon curd. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and rich, yet with plenty of acidity, drink this elegant, balanced beauty anytime over the coming 2-3 decades. (JD)” (10/2015)

“(aged in a 50/50 blend of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels for eight months): Pale yellow-gold. Explosive, mineral-accented aromas of tangerine, poached pear and jasmine show superb clarity and pick up ginger, nougat and chamomile nuances as the wine opens up. Juicy, densely packed citrus and orchard fruit flavors thoroughly stain the palate and become more energetic with air. The mineral and floral notes come back emphatically on the strikingly long and incisive finish, which shows impressive, nervy tenacity and focus.” (04/2016)