2001 Beaucastel

[DavidG]

Peggy and I drank this with a grilled ribeye last night. Drinking great, though I’d expect even more complexity in another 5 years.

• 2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (12/25/2018)
  Cellared since release. Perfect cork and fill. Opened an hour without decanting, then drunk over 2 days. No deterioration on day 2 after a night in the fridge. Dark red core, lightening at the rim. Potent nose of blackberry, plum, black cherry, fresh earth and floral notes with a mouth-watering savory element. Full body, excellent balance, good acidity and integrated tannins, layers of complexity, flavors follow the nose, medium-long finish. In a great spot now and should hold there for another 5-10 years. Excellent to outstanding.

[marcs]

I had this at Thanksgiving. Actually pulled it from the cellar unplanned near the end of dinner, in response to a guest who was talking about how he liked California Mourvedre. I think it suffered from the setting since there were a ton of very good wines already open and that had already been consumed. It was good -- as you say, very full bodied, really showing the Mourvedre component, and well balanced. But I found it somewhat lacking in complexity and a "wow" factor. I think it would have shown better if we had just drunk it by itself over dinner, though, would have focused more on it.

[JimHow]

I’m going to try to get some 2016 Beaucastel in my cellar.
The one bottle of 2015 I had was really impressive, but I haven’t been able to find any more.

[jckba]

I too had this earlier in the year and remember thinking that it was good but sans plus as it was clearly overmatched both aromatically as well as on the palate by the Charvin. Now neither btl was decanted so that could have definitely been a factor for its lackluster showing but it definitely sounds like your btl was in a better zone than my pour which is good news as I am still sitting on a 6pack.

Jim, re: 2015 Beaucastel CdP. I bought 2 6pack OWC’s of the 2015 Beaucastel CdP and would be happy to trade you one of the six packs straight up for one of the 2016 if that is easier for you to source if at all interested, as that would save me from another ~$420 wine purchase, so let me know.

[DavidG]

The 2015 is still out there at some retailers. Not sure what your shipping situation is in ME Jim. Can CA retailers ship to you? I'm seeing 2015 and 2016 for under $70 (plus shipping) if so.

I think DC can ship to you and Potomac has the 2015 but at $85. A number of DC stores have the 2016 but at $80. Sounds like jckba can get a much better deal.

[DavidG]

It's possible that the 2001 was better on day 2. I opened it the night before and left a half glass out for an hour before tasting. Some stuff came up which distracted me so it went in the fridge after a half glass that I wasn't totally focused on.

It wasn't slam dunk outstanding either day but still an excellent bottle in my book. Not a 1978, 1989 or 1998 but it might come close with more time.

[JimHow]

MacArthur's is not shipping to Maine anymore.
I'll be picking up some wine in NH and NYC this weekend before flying out of NYC for sunny South Beach.

[stefan]

Sounds great, David. How did it match with the grilled ribeye? To me that pairing looks strange.

[JimHow]

That's strange to me, Stefan, I can't think of a better food to drink French red wine with that a ribeye.
In fact, Jimmy Suckling and I drink French wine with anything....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPEYHX5XlZ4

[stefan]

French red with a ribeye: of course, Jim. But Beaucastel?

[SF Ed]

Glad to hear the 2001 Beaucastel is drinking well. I still have a lot of it. 2001 CdP is great, maybe even better than 1998.

SF Ed

[DavidG]

Maybe not a perfect pairing but it was still a good match. I didn’t put much seasoning on the steak so it let the wine show through. And rare beef with the earthy and savory elements was complementary. I was going to have it with lamb but Peggy wanted the ribeye for dinner last night and the lamb tonight for her bday dinner. And the Beaucastel was already open a day.

We had the lamb with a 2009 Lanessan this evening.