2022 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

the story behind Château de Beaucastel

Château de Beaucastel is one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's most renowned estates. Located in the northern part of the appellation, the estate's mix of limestone, sand, and the characteristic rounded pebbles ensures heat retention and good drainage. The Perrin family has worked here for generations, focusing on quality, biodiversity, and a meticulous approach to both the vineyard and cellar. The vineyards are fully organic and have long been committed to sustainable viticulture.

Beaucastel's white wines are rare and come from old vines deeply rooted in a diverse soil structure. The house's style combines ripe fruit with tension and length. The focus is on Roussanne, a grape that develops unique intensity and depth in this region.

the terroir and grapes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation lies between Avignon and Orange. The combination of sun, mistral winds, and chalky soils with large, rolling pebbles produces grapes with aromatic richness and plenty of freshness. For its white wine, Beaucastel primarily uses Roussanne grapes, supplemented with other permitted varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. The old vines ensure low yields and concentrated fruit.

Roussanne forms the core of the style. This grape offers notes of peach, apricot, and citrus, often with a rich structure and a long finish. The other grapes bring freshness, floral notes, and added balance.

characteristics of Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2022

The 2022 Blanc is approximately eighty percent Roussanne. The remaining grapes add finesse and tension. The aroma reveals citrus, mandarin, peach, and light floral notes. The palate is full and rounded, with a rich texture and soft structure. The finish is long and smooth.

According to The Wine Advocate (source: The Wine Advocate, score 94), the 2022 Blanc is a wine with ripe fruit and harmonious length. The reviewer calls the wine rich yet balanced. The combination of ripeness and freshness makes this vintage particularly compelling. The drinking window runs from 2023 to 2030.

the development of Beaucastel and the role of Cesar Perrin

In recent years, the vineyard and cellar have been managed by Cesar Perrin. He is working on further refinements in both the vineyards and the vinification process. A new winery building, constructed largely from the estate's rammed earth, represents the next step towards sustainable production. The construction focuses on natural cooling using wind and rainwater evaporation. This aligns with the estate's vision of minimizing its reliance on external energy sources.

In the vineyard, Beaucastel is experimenting with green manures and mulch to slow sugar buildup in the grapes and thus maintain a better balance of alcohol and acidity. The 2021 wines, some of which were produced using this method, showed lower alcohol levels without any loss of aromatic power.

harvest and vinification of the 2022 Blanc

The grapes for the 2022 Blanc were harvested early in the morning to preserve freshness. The plots are pressed separately. Fermentation takes place partly in oak barrels and partly in stainless steel. This combination ensures the wine remains rich without being overly heavy. Maturation takes place on fine lees to develop texture and length. This approach produces a wine that is both aromatically expressive and structured.

color, aroma and taste of the 2022 Blanc

The color is light golden yellow with a bright sheen. The aroma combines citrus, mandarin, peach, and a light floral note. On the palate, the wine is full, round, and broad, with ripe fruit notes and a soft texture. The acidity remains balanced, tempering the richness of the Roussanne. The finish is long and harmonious, with a subtle stony undertone.

aging potential of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2022

The 2022 Blanc is expressive even when young. Its fresh acidity and rich structure give it excellent aging potential, extending to at least 2030. With bottle aging, Roussanne develops notes of honey, nuts, and spices. The wine is suitable for both immediate consumption and extended aging.

Would you like to order Château de Beaucastel wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, near the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

wine and food pairings with Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2022

Grilled sea bass with lemon and olive oil complements the round texture and fresh notes of the wine.

Lobster with saffron butter complements the rich texture and peach aromas of Roussanne.

Scallops au gratin provide a soft, creamy combination that complements the long finish.

Risotto with asparagus forms a fresh balance due to the citrus aromas and soft mouthfeel.

Chicken with tarragon and cream complements the ripe fruit structure and harmonious body.

Ripe Comté gives a beautiful combination with the round texture and subtle spiciness of the wine.