Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Roussanne 2009

Professional Ratings

• 100 Jeb Dunnuck

  Drinking at point, the absolutely stunning 2009 Châteauneuf Du Pape Roussanne Vielles Vignes shows how good these dry whites from the south of France can be. Based all on very old vine Roussanne raised in demi-muids, it has a vivid gold hue (there's just subtle hint of evolution) to go with incredible notes of orange marmalade, lemon oil, quince, acacia flowers, and almond paste. Full-bodied, concentrated, and as powerful as they come, it nevertheless is flawlessly balanced, has a remarkable sense of freshness, and a finish that just about makes your eyes roll back in your head. Given this showing, I would enjoy bottles any time over the coming decade, but I have no doubt it will evolve longer, although I feel that the risk versus reward starts to climb dramatically in this range.

• 99 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  While I couldn't quite reach triple digits in scoring this 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, I was still completely blown away by its voluptuous majesty. Full-bodied, rich and ripe, it rolls easily across the palate in swells of amazing honey, pear, tangerine and marmalade notes. Almost ageless, it lingers elegantly on the finish, adding piquant hints of white pepper. Twenty years of enjoyable evolution doesn't seem remotely out of the question for this tour de force.

• 95 Wine Spectator
  Dense and rich, with creamed yellow apple, sweetened butter, glazed pear and Cavaillon melon notes all woven seamlessly together and gliding through the very long finish. Shows gorgeous purity and length. Drink now through 2020. 500 cases made.