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1990 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape

1990 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape

98 JS

Featured Review
This offers a super rich, earth, leather, spice and sweet-tobacco nose with a very similar texture to the 2017. It has a rich, dark, nutty core with very intense, long black fruit and seamless tannins with flavors of leather, tobacco and deep and ripe plums and blueberries. Drink now. James Suckling

James Suckling | 98 JS

Critic Reviews

This offers a super rich, earth, leather, spice and sweet-tobacco nose with a very similar texture to the 2017. It has a rich, dark, nutty core with very intense, long black fruit and seamless tannins with flavors of leather, tobacco and deep and ripe plums and blueberries. Drink now.

James Suckling | 98 JS
Seamless, silky and just drinking perfectly. I don’t think the 1990 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape is going to fade anytime soon but I’d drink them if you have them and I can’t imagine this getting better.

Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JD
A clear red now, like its peers. There are raisins and earth, here, but it is the menthol note (a Beaucastel hallmark with time) which dominates. Although harmonious and seamless, there is still fine volume and energy to this aromatic profile, and no sign of any drying or decline. On the palate, the wine is lively, powerful, deep and masterful, with typically bright Beaucastel acidity, darkly alluring burnt-raisin fruit, impressively lingering tannins and some herb-and-spice complexities to finish.

Decanter | 95 DEC
Beaucastel made a great Chateauneuf du Pape in 1990. In stylistic terms, it is completely different from the profound 1989. The color is opaque black/ruby/purple. The perfume of smoked meats, coffee, hickory, Asian spices, and black raspberries is sensational. While concentrated, full-bodied, and extremely rich, the wine displays slightly harder tannin, higher acidity, and comes across as a more muscular, less opulent example than the 1989. It is a profound wine, but I would rate it inferior to the 1989 and 1981, yet easily equivalent to the 1983 and 1985. Both Francois and Jean-Pierre Perrin compare their 1990 to the renowned 1967, and both prefer it to their 1989 - high praise! Unlike the 1989, it will not be as flattering to drink when young. It should age for at least 30 years.

Robert Parker | 94 RP
The 1990 Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a compelling bouquet of plump red fruit, oxtail, leather and morels, all well defined and full of chutzpah. The palate is smooth in texture and, at 29 years old, has certainly mellowed. There is a core of sweet fruit here, but it has softened with age and delivers a smorgasbord of second flavors: meat juices, clove and touches of fennel. It does not possess the audacity of the Hommage à Jacques Perrin, yet it has retained effortless charm.

Vinous Media | 93 VM
(Châteauneuf du Pape- Château de Beaucastel) The 1990 Château Beaucastel is a lovely wine and is just about ready for primetime drinking, but will continue to improve over the coming five or six years and then cruise along for decades from that point forward. The bouquet offers up a fine blend of dried raspberries and red currants, roasted game, incipient autumnal tones (fallen leaves) and a potpourri of spice tones in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and a touch leathery in personality, with a good core, melting tannins and fine length and grip on the complex finish. Having had the good fortune to drink several older vintages of Beaucastel at peak maturity, my gut instinct with the 1990 would be to let it rest in the cellar for just a few more years and allow the last layer of aromatic complexity to emerge here, though it must be said that the wine is really lovely on the palate right now. (Drink between 2016-2040)

John Gilman | 92+ JG
Not as appealing as the '89, our Wine of the Year in 1991, but it's a generous, concentrated, intensely fruity Châteauneuf that blends mouthfilling flavors with complex cedar, spice and leather accents. Sturdy tannins and solid acidity mark this as a good candidate to cellar. Best after 1996. 17,000 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 92 WS

Wine Details for 1990 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape

Type of Wine Chateauneuf du Pape : You can expect Chateauneuf-du-Pape reds selection to wash over you with a combination of leather, game, tar, and delicious dried herbs, creating a spice mixture that commands respect from even the harshest non-believers. Chateauneuf-du-Pape whites are ever so refreshing and bold, frolicking in a field of floral notes and earthy minerals.
Varietal Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.

Country France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world.



For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide.



France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity.



France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.



With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.


Region Rhone : While the Northern Rhone produces only about 5% of all wine coming out of the Rhone Valley, the quality of these bottles is not to be underestimated. The terroir in this region is heavenly for growing Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne or Rousanne - the only permitted grapes in the AOC. Picture this - the Rhone flows through the valley like an azure thread piercing the landscape, a reflection of the dreamy skies hovering above the vineyards, ready to produce rainfall at a moment's notice. The rocky soil of the steep, almost surreal hillsides provides a bountiful feast for the grapevine roots. The flavors and texture of Northern Rhone wines tell you everything you need to know as soon as your lips touch the elixir, like a whisper in the vigorous valley winds

As per the Southern Rhone wine, it is like taking a plunge into a whirlpool of juicy flavor. Every sip explodes forward like a crashing tsunami, bathing your tastebuds in delicious aromas of prune, chocolate, grass, and black fruit. The wines are so compelling that it can be hard to drink them casually at a social event without getting lost in their intricate textures and emotional depths. Let's set sail together, and drink deep from these luxurious bottles with our friends and loved ones.
Subregion Southern Rhone
Appellation Chateauneuf Du Pape

Overview

Producer Chateau de Beaucastel : Resting upon historic terroir near the northern perimeter of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Southern Rhone’s most prestigious winegrowing appellation, resides Chateau De Beaucastel; feasibly the most famous estate in the region. It has long been regarded as one of the greatest wines in France: its history one of the eldest in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and the family responsible, one of the most revered in the region. Notorious for its elegance, balance and ageing, Beaucastel is consistently awarded exceptional reviews and ratings from professional critics and wine writers around the world.

The history of the estate has been traced back to 1549 when the original plot was purchased by Pierre de Beaucastel. Its antiquity speaks volumes to the presence of Beaucastel in the region, but it was not until 1909 when the estate was transferred to the Perrin family, in which Chateau de Beaucastel would begin its marvelous journey towards becoming perhaps, the finest estate in Southern Rhone. The year 1978 marked the beginning of the modern era of Beaucastel, as Jacques Perrin succeeded his father, Pierre and took control of the estate. The meticulous, talented and ambitious proprietor pioneered a new method (which he patented) of malolactic fermentation in which the grapes are heated to an extreme heat for a very short period and then cooled, removing select enzymes and in the process retarding oxidation, slowing fermentation, while allowing for more freshness and purity in the fruit.

During Jacques Perrin’s tenure, the estate swelled to 130 hectares, the largest underground cellar in the Rhone valley was constructed and the name Chateau de Beaucastel became the pinnacle of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape winemaking, which all others aspired. Today the torch is being carried by his sons, Jean-Pierre and Francois, with the help of Marc, Pierre, Thomas, Cecile, Charles, Mathieu and Cesar, proudly representing the 4th and 5th generations (respectively) of Perrin family winemaking at Chateau de Beaucastel. The strength of this family unit is its ability to blend the talents of each family member in order to run the estate under common values: absolute respect for land and terroir, biodynamic culture as a philosophy of life, the research of truth, balance and elegance.

Chateau de Beaucastel is a magical place, where nature is blooming, liberated and at ease; surrounded by hills planted with vines, century-old olive trees and truffle oaks situated in the municipality of Courthezon. Its exceptional terroir is marked by the Rhone, composed of marine molasses (sandstone) from the Miocene period, covered by Alpine alluvium and the omnipresent and famous Galets Roules (large round stones) which greatly contribute to the growth of the vines by collecting and then transferring the sun’s heat into the soil and vine roots. The location’s meso-climate plays and important role with a low rainfall, beautiful sunshine and spectacular temperature differences. The legendary Mistral wind, which whistles down the entire Rhone valley, blows through the vineyards of very old and gnarled vines cooling them during periods of extreme heat and drying them during periods of excessive rainfall.

Beaucastel’s ancestral soils bear the fruit of all 13 permissible Rhone varieties (Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, Vaccarese, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardin, Bourboulenc, Roussanne and Cinsault). Of the estates 130 hectares under vine, 100 are cultivated in the AOC (Appellation of Origin Controlled) of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. The remaining 30 hectares reside in the AOC Cotes-Du-Rhone (Coudoulet). Together the Beaucastel and Coudoulet vineyards offer a spectacular collection of wines, including Beaucastel Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (red and white) Beaucastel Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes (old vines) and Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes-Du-Rhone (red and white). A special cuvee, Beaucastel Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin (which pays tribute to the well-revered and talented winemaker Jacques Perrin) is produced only in the greatest of vintages and is produced with a considerable amount of Mourvedre (60%) which is unique for Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. It is also interesting to note that Beaucastel’s Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Rouge (red) is blended using all 13 grape varieties, including 5% whites. The Chateauneuf Blanc Vieilles Vignes is 100% Roussanne and is the benchmark for white Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. The entire portfolio produces around 20,000 to 25,000 cases each year, with the Roussanne Vieilles Vignes accounting for only 500 cases and the Hommage a Jacques Perrin (when produced) a mere 350 cases.


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