2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Ch. de Beaucastel

The 30% Mourvèdre is evident in the generous colour and savoury nose of the 2006; a big and powerful wine, with tar, liquorice and bonfire in support of the dense black fruit, the sweetness of which is thus far enigmatically and subtly shrouded. All will be revealed!
(Simon Field M.W. - Rhône Buyer)

Rather like the 2006s from Jaboulet, this wine is noticeably – determinedly? – fresher and cleaner on the nose than some previous vintages used to be. I wonder if this is the Pascal Chatonnet effect? Not at all ‘hot’, the 2006 is very slightly muted on the nose (not a trace of the horsiness for which Beaucastel has in the past been reproached) and then extremely sweet and glamorous on the palate - fantastic polish with very fine tannins on the finish and a suggestion that there is a great deal still to be expressed. There’s lift at the end but it needs to take on flesh in the mid to end palate before it really delivers on its undoubted promise.
(Jancis Robinson - jancisrobinson.com - 30-Apr-2008)

As I stated last year, there is no Hommage a Jacques Perrin in 2006, but Beaucastel’s 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape is performing even better from bottle than it did last year. Its dense plum/ruby/purple color is followed by a big, sweet perfume of black truffles, camphor, earth, incense, new saddle leather, and loads of peppery, blackberry, and herb-infused, meaty, black cherry fruit. Deep, full-bodied, and dense, with sweet tannin, this explosively rich Chateauneuf is a stronger effort than the 2005, 2004, or 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2028.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Oct-2008)

Powerful, with a round, almost creamy core of blackberry and raspberry fruit all layered with cocoa, sweet toast, mesquite and fig paste. Long and rich through the finish. Still quite primal, with lots in reserve. Best from 2010 through 2030. 7,500 cases imported.
(James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - Apr-2009)