Tasting Note - 1998 Chateau de Beaucastel

WINE TALK
#1

Pop and pour and served with a grilled tri tip. Opened to celebrate completing my first Olympic Distance Triathalon.

Light red in color. 13.5% ABV. Scintillating nose of red fruits, kirsch liqueur and herbes de Provence. Full bodied with perfect acidity. Rich, exceedingly plush and well balanced. Cherries, thyme, game and cracked black pepper on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long. Just a stunning bottle of Beaucastel. Classic, old school CdP. Definitely rivals the ’98 Vieux Telegraphe as one of the top wines of the vintage. I have one more bottle left that I will revisit in 2020 or so. Best over the next 3-5 years.

My rating: 96 points.

Tom
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#2

Thanks for the note. Should bring out my case from long term storage soon.

#3

Awesome note buddy. And congrats on completing the triathalon - damn impressive!

How we feeling today? Little sore or not too bad?

#4

Sounds like this is finally getting more interesting.

But analytically, you’d be shocked: it contains >7g/L residual sugar.

Some time between 1989 and 1998, something(s) changed at Beaucastel.

#5

Little sore my friend!

Tom

#6

Thanks for the note. After hearing some mixed reviews this gives me hope for my ex-Chateau 1998’s.

#7

Polished off my last one last fall. Awesome wine, just as you describe. Fortunately none of my bottles were leakers.

#8

I remember the 89s to be leakers. I didn’t hear this about the 98s.

#9

Sorry, dyslexia here. I read this whole thread as 89. [oops.gif]

The 98 was awesome as well, and I’ll stick with my comment about the TN.

#10

Very interesting! Where did you get that data?

#11

Loved this the only time I had it.