2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Ch. de Beaucastel

This Roussanne-dominated Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc exudes blossom, quince and honey with a youthful caress of velvety texture and fresh minerality to ensure its smooth passing into maturity.

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc is even better. Meriting the same rating as I gave it last year, it is a delicious, beautifully textured, light gold-colored white revealing plenty of white peach, apricot, nectarine, and honeysuckle notes as well as a distinctive florality and minerality. More honeyed and fuller-bodied than its 2008 counterpart, it should drink beautifully for 7-8 years, then go into an oxidative state. It is somewhat of a gamble as to what will happen thereafter. Beaucastel’s limited production luxury cuvee first produced in 1986 is their 100% Roussanne Vieilles Vignes offering. Fifty percent is barrel-fermented in one-year-old barrels, but no new oak is utilized.(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Oct 2009)