Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château de Beaucastel, Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, Perrin - Château de Beaucastel 2023

There are roughly 600 cases of the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, a 100% Roussanne from very old vines brought up 50% new oak and 50% once-used. It too is flat-out awesome, with honeyed quince, green almond, white flowers, orange liqueur, and a liqueur of rocks-like minerality. It's full-bodied, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, fabulous concentration, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. If you see it, buy it. I don’t see this being the longest-lived vintage of this cuvée, but who cares? It’s sensational stuff.

Slightly reduced and nutty with a note of oak on the nose. A real intensity on the palate with superb definition and richness, this is supremely concentrated – mandarin skin and almond husk throughout with nutty, ripe russet apple and jasmine. Long, incredibly rich and refined. Wonderful. (AC)

Attractive, fresh and open, with honeyed apricot and mango notes. It's full-bodied, but not massive by any means, and the acidity is low, as usual with this cuvée, with a positive, bitter grapefruit note. Lovely generous nature to the body, along with a good feeling of balance. Long and fresh, with gentle inner tension. From a single parcel of Roussanne, planted in 1919 and grown biodynamically. Aged in one-year-old demi-muids and barriques. Maximum of 6,000 bottles per year.