Château De Beaucastel Blanc 2020

Beaucastel's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is 80% Roussanne (half in new oak and half in second-use wood) and 20% other permitted varieties (made in stainless steel). Honeyed pear and pineapple notes dominate the nose, while the palate is full-bodied rich and luscious, yet remains vibrant, refreshing and long on the finish. I find it delicious now and don't see any need to age it, although it will undoubtedly hold together for several years.

You could almost mistake this very sophisticated and elegant white Chateauneuf for a white Burgundy, if it wasn’t for the pronounced fresh-apricot note. This is ripe and fleshy, but in a refined way, the acidity at the finish supple, but it remains very clean and straight. A blend of roussanne with a small amount of grenache blanc. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Currently quite closed on the nose - just a little pear, almond and anise - but lovely sense of intensity and precision on the palate. There’s welcome acidity, and it's not too full-bodied - only medium really. Drinkable and gently saline. Leave until late 2022 to start drinking, 2023 if you can. Contains 30% each of Viognier, Marsanne and Bourboulenc and 10% Clairette. 50% of the blend spent a year in 4-year-old barriques.