"Joe Czerwinski (Robert Parker) 95-97/100
Another in a string of top vintages, Beaucastel's 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape was produced from Grenache yields of only eight hectoliters per hectare ("normal" is about 28 hectoliters per hectare, according to Marc Perrin). The final blend I was shown is almost candied in its fruity intensity of raspberries and cherries, yet it has a potent underpinning of more savory elements, like tapenade, grilled meat and dried spices. Full-bodied, with fine, silky tannins, this shows tremendous length, reverberating with hints of crushed stone on the finish. Drink 2021 - 2037 The Wine Advocate August 2019
Jeb Dunnock 94-96+/100
The 2018 has slightly less Grenache than normal (10%) and has a Mourvèdre dominated bouquet of blue fruits, crushed violets, charred meats, and a distinct minerality. This was a challenging vintage, particularly for Grenache, yet this estate has produced a brilliant wine that has medium to full body, a layered, deep, concentrated mid-palate, ripe tannins and a gorgeous finish."
Arguably the benchmark to which all other Châteauneuf is measured; full-bodied, tannic and rich with considerable power
After an episode of drought throughout 2017, rain arrived in November. The mild winter enabled the teams to prune the vineyard in the most favourable days of the lunar calendar according to the principles of biodynamics. This precise work promoted a balanced vegetation and avoided any requirement for disbudding.
A good vegetative period followed until flowering which, thanks to the Mistral wind, took place in ideal conditions and created a potentially huge crop. All looked set for a perfect vintage… However, as the mercury began to rise, the amount of rain that followed, between early May and late June, made the vineyard work much more difficult and complicated than usual. The appellations of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône experienced a strong attack of mildew, especially on Grenache, a more sensitive variety that was the first to be affected. (The Gigondas appellation area was spared by the rain and therefore did not suffer any crop loss).
The dry, hot, good weather came back from July 1 to August 15 with plenty of high temperatures. A storm of 100 mm on August 15th was the last rainfall of the season. The good weather then lasted throughout the harvest, allowing us to pick each parcel at perfect maturity. The red grape harvest began on 7th September with Syrah in Côtes du Rhône, followed by Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. The harvest ended on October 5th in Vinsobres.
The alcoholic fermentations went well: during the maceration we favoured soft extractions with daily pumping over. The malolactic fermentations started spontaneously at the beginning of November on all the wines. In 2018, the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape have a beautiful aromatic complexity with a nice balance, Gigondas are silky and elegant, the Vinsobres more round and opulent.
