Bob McDonald

9.4

Very dense in colour - an impenetrable dark Ruby red. Aromatics of dried red fruits, earth, a little charcuterie and a touch of tar. Love the CdP perfume. A trace of sootiness. This is the 2nd Cuvée of the enigmatic Henri Bonneau, who has now passed on. His top wine, Celestins, is a WOW Wine. A medium plus weight palate - both sweet and savoury and also rich. The flavours of good CdP suit my palate perfectly - particularly wines like this from Bonneau, Rayas or Beaucastel Jacques Perrin. 41 weeks later on 3rd August 2024 I had my last bottle. Very aromatic - voluminous. Dark savoury fruits. Mushroom and earthy notes and very French. Obviously not near as WOW as the Celestins. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.4

My contribution for a massive Grenache theme wine tasting (being as socially distanced as possible). This was alongside Cayuse God Only Knows, a 2011 No Girls Grenache, SQN Female, Saxum Terry Hogue, Lillian Grenache, 06 and 07 Beaucastel, and others.

Broken record, I know, but these wines are insanely delicious and so well crafted. Very much in the “love it or hate it” style, as typical with Cayuse wines. Much more spice and herbal lift here compared to the 2011. Stemmy, black peppercorn dusted rhubarb, olive, and smoked cherry jerky aromatics. Vibrant, almost nervy, on the palate with beautiful acidity. On the palate, it’s a back and forth between saline, iron driven savory notes and underripe fleshy red fruits. Compared to their Syrah, this is always a bit lighter and more bright. Seems to be drinking at peak. — 5 years ago

Ming L

9.3

The 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel from Tablas Creek was a tough act to follow, but this elegant Rhône blend from Sonoma just did that.

The nose was quite similar with aroma of blue fruits and earthy elements with hint of violet, it was the palate that set it apart: soft, complex and deep, with great texture and beautiful acidity that adds the tension. Elegant and seamless.

Kale Anderson was the long time wine maker at Pahlmeyer, and Kale wines are all vineyard-specific. Worth seeking out. — 6 years ago

Charles Mires

9.8

Exceptional. Maybe worth the price. Stands out even in the great vintage. Distinctive taste and character. Maybe the Mourvèdre.
— 6 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

Elegant like a Pinot a classic truly great CNP at a price. — 7 years ago

Brendan Rea

9.1

Reminds me of beaucastel, dark ripe red and black fruit and dusty tannins, flowers and oak, really beautiful — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

We first tried a bottle of Celestins in a restaurant in Gigondas some years ago, and for me it was a WOW Wine. Had this latest bottle on Sunday with Roast Pork. Medicinal to begin with which blew off. Barnyard aromas - horse manure. In hindsight this could’ve been Brett but the overall impression and tasting was impressive and memorable. Glad I have 3 left. Showing a medium to full bodied palate. This is textbook CdP in the old school genre. The tannins are silky and sexy - a liquorice note together with saddle leather. Henri Bonneau passed away in 2016 and the wine making is now carried out by his son, Marcel. A visit to his archaic cellars was keenly sought after and rarely granted. Mould all over the walls, rickety stairs light bulbs dangling from the ceiling and a floor which stuck to the soles of your shoes was how one visitor described his experience in the cellar. Nevertheless this is a CdP up there with Rayas and the top Cuvée from Beaucastel. The blend is usually 90% Grenache with the balance made up of around 4 or 5 different varieties. — 2 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

I get it, I get it. This is the first Chateauneuf that’s really wowed me. Having been left a little underwhelmed by the 2004 Beaucastel I had over Christmas (though I rated this highly at the time), I looked to Isabel Ferrando and her Domaine de Saint Préfert for some confirmation - in my untrained mind - as to the appeal of CNDP. And boy, did this bottle deliver.

This wine boasts a very powerful aroma, which drove me to profanity when I first smelled it; a mix of blueberry, liquorice, bergamot and coffee much of which continues on the palate. It’s incredibly ripe, full, seductive and has everything in check: fresh acidity, gentle tannin, and a long, velvety finish (think Turkish delight). My initial thought on composition was that this must be a Grenache-dominant blend given the ripe, fruit forward profile and high alcohol (15%), so as an amateur I was pleased to find out that, indeed, it’s 85% Grenache with 15% Cinsault.

A great wine that will age gracefully. I wish I had more. — 5 years ago

Richard Alfred

9.2

Drank at L’Oustalet, Gigondas (Perrin/Beaucastel restaurant) for lunch, 10/5/19. Then, bought a bottle in Gigondas and drank it in Paradou with my bride of 41 years whom I love. Delish! — 6 years ago

tim heyman

9.0

great bouquet very dry almost bitter flavor original cneuf maybe to compete with beaucastel one third the price and likely to age — 6 years ago

Benoit Duhamel

9.6

Servi à l’aveugle. Une couleur d’un jaune très foncé… presque fluo ! Le nez est superbe, exotique, ca sent les fruits qu’on mange dans le sud. En bouche, c’est dense, c’est gras, crémeux mais ca a quand même une belle fraicheur et un bel équilibre. Très bonne longueur. Sylvain nous annonce que c’est un US, mais me fait drôlement penser à un Beaucastel vieilles vignes ce qui m’amène à chercher l’encépagement de ce vin… finalement 50% Roussanne, 31% Viognier et 19% Chardonnay. Ma première expérience avec Sine Qua Non et ca me confirme l’engouement pour ces vins. Mon blanc préféré de la soirée. — 7 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.3

Last of the beaucastel name, very good and wonderfully integrated! Still very fresh and could sit down for many more years. Sweeter than expected (thanks Grenache) bright red fruits open up very nicely, a bit woodsy! — 8 years ago

with Natasha

Phil S.

9.2

Bday dinner with a at Burleigh court — 4 years ago

Mike Holzer

9.0

Red fruit . Slightly reserved bouquet but opened up to fresh strawberry subtly to no tannins. Drink last bottle in next 2-3 years. Very good. — 5 years ago

with Ania

Jeff Hasmann

9.5

Phenomenal wine from Vaucluse’s best winemaker. Half Grenache blended with a potpourri of other Southern Rhone varietals. Reminiscent of Beaucastel, but more powerful. Big, bold wine that dances on the tongue and evolves over the course of the evening. Highly concentrated and complex with layer upon layer of kirsch, blackberry, garrigue, spice, and white stone. On the palate, you can even detect some hints of dark chocolate. The wine is extremely good now, but I’d suggest cellaring for a decade to bring out all the layers. 2015 vintage on Oct 13, 2019 — 6 years ago

Clarke Gasper

9.1

Bought this to use in a cooking recipe because I'm a big fan of Château de Beaucastel and was amazed at the quality for an entry level offering. Notes of fresh blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries mixed in with floral tones on the nose and a touch of clove on the palate. Juicy and fresh this is the true definition of a value red! Bravo to the Perrin family for their commitment to quality. — 6 years ago

Jocholla

9.1

Beautiful minerality, drinks like a CDP Blanc. — 6 years ago

Paul J

8.9

Stinks when my usual guy isn’t working at the local wine store. This didn’t cost much though. Pretty average wine all around. Light gold color. Nose is citrus with some honey. Lemon, honey, and some tartness on the palate. Decent finish. — 7 years ago

with Brooke

Rashed Chowdhury

8.9

From the family that owns the Chateau de Beaucastel, this is a solid Rhone blend of Grenache and Syrah. 7 years old with so much fruit, ripe tannins and hints of black pepper. Not much length. Good one for an average Tuesday night! — 8 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2015 Floral smell, sugarmelon, lime zest, good bitters. — 8 years ago