TN: 1994 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WINE TALK
1

Enjoyed this immensely with the cassoulet at La Sirene in NYC. For those who know La Sirene, they finally got a liquor license, and zero corkage ends February 1st, so hurry…

  • 1994 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (1/16/2014)
    Terrific bottle. A bit of funk on the nose, which I love. Easily approachable, with some dirt, dark cherry and maybe a whiff of wood. Medium body, with a long finish. Plenty of acidity and with some softened tannins here. Lovely. (94 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

2

i love this wine. one of my favorite Beaucastel vintages.

3

I went through a case of the enjoyable 94. The first bottle was totally shut down but the rest of the dozen delivered.

4

For me kind of the “last typical old” Beaucastel … I prefer it to the 1995 … and before they cleaned up their style to more fruity and less spicy (some would say less bretty).
The wines after 1998 are certainly technially more correct (but better?), but for me less interesting. Certainly usually also more Grenache, less Mourvedre in the blend.
Where are exciting vintages like 1990, 89, 85, 83, 81, 78 … ?

And for the current price I have a looooooooooooong list of CdPs I prefer to buy and store …

5

I’ll pile on. After the 1990, this is my favorite Beaucastel of the 90s. I much prefer it to the 95. And I’m with Gerhard on the change in style from 98 on. I have one or two bottles of this. I’ll drink them in the near future and see them go with great sorrow.

6

I have one bottle remaining and will be sad when its gone. Time to find some more.