98 POINTS
Peter Moser - Falstaff
Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, discreet rim brightening. Smoky-spicy, black berry fruit, delicate liquorice, fine wood savouriness, dark minerality. Complex, tightly meshed, taut, some coffee, fine supporting tannins, chocolaty finish, great length, nougat in the echo, certain ageing potential, still somewhat reserved, nevertheless already somewhat drinkable.
98 POINTS
Matt Walls - Decanter
Aromatically lifted, strongly showing the floral, violet, dimension of Mourvèdre. Very silky and stylish, luxurious but not opulent. Ripe, with great tannic finesse, amply weighted, but more a vintage about finesse than power. Very well balanced, almost drinkable already. It will age on its balance, not for as long as some recent vintages perhaps, but that's of no great consequence – it’s still an exceptional wine. Around 60% of the blend comes from old-vine Mourvèdre from their Courrieux vineyard. Grapes are destemmed, fermented in tronconic wooden vats using natural yeasts after a brief cold maceration, with regular punching down.
98 POINTS
Josh Raynolds - Vinous
Glass-staining ruby. A deeply perfumed bouquet features black raspberry, cherry liqueur, boysenberry, exotic spice and floral scents that show outstanding definition and smoky mineral lift. Sweet and penetrating in the mouth, offering wonderfully concentrated black and blue fruit preserve, violet pastille, spicecake and savory herb flavors that possess unlikely vivacity for their depth. The strikingly long, floral- and spice-driven finish is shaped by steadily building tannins that play nicely with the wine's intense fruit.
96 POINTS
Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux
Violet edging, and from the start it resonates with flavour, energy and impact. Mouthwatering levels of black- berry and blueberry fruits, juicy and complex, plenty of tannins that close in on the finish while maintaining a juicy frame to the fruits. This is a legendary wine with reason. From a dedicated 4ha of the brilliant Beaucastel estate, and as with all the wines it is truly a family affair - director Charles Perrin, oenologist César Perrin Drink 2023 to 2040 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux (October 2021)
Such beautiful black cherries, fresh earth, sage, basil and flowers on the nose, following through to a medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and an attractive, lightly chewy finish. This is very long and fresh with balance and purity. Give it five or six years to come around and show itself.
Alistair Cooper MW - JancisRobinson.com
Cask sample, tasted at the domaine. Brooding, powerful nose, kirsch, white pepper, damson and crushed violets. A pure, saturated core of dark mineral-laden fruits, liquorice and blueberries – powerful and fine-grained, rounded, structured tannins are backed up by superlative acidity. A powerful thoroughbred. One to watch! Alistair Cooper, jancisrobinson.com (November 2020)