2008 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Rouge, Côtes du Rhône, Ch. de Beaucastel

Most Exciting Wine of The Vintage
Ch. de Beaucastel itself is for me the epitome of Chateauneuf.  This is an exceptional estate, making real "vins de terroir".  Coudoulet de Beaucastel is often mistaken for their second wine, but it's not.  The wine comes from vineyards that are part of the main estate, but fall just outside the appellation (which the estate predates).  As with it's big brother, I love the lifted style of the 2008, which makes the 2007 look "all bells and whistles".  This has a serious, linear power to it with a finely chiselled structure - one can taste the soil, not just the sunshine.  Marc Perrin says it's a ten year wine but it will be very hard to resist in its youth.
(Joss Fowler, Fine Wine Sales Advisor)

Capturing a good deal of the quality that made the 2007 such a delight, this brims with unabashed red berried fruit, allied to a finely-etched structure and impressive concentration. Add to this the subtle notes of bay leaf and licorice and one finds oneself in the company of a very good wine indeed… certainly a far more serious wine than its humble nomenclature might imply.
(Simon Field MW, Rhône Buyer)