Chateau de Beaucastel , Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge , 2023

**Pre-Order Now: Stock will arrive in 3-4 weeks from order being placed** In the 14th Century, the Pope built a residence in Châteauneuf. Back then, it seems like Popes just sort of pissed about and started wars, but this one in particular fell in love with the local wine, elevating it to legendary status for centuries. One of the defining characteristics is soil made from large, smooth pebbles. These trap the sun in the day and release it slowly at night, caressing the fruit to perfect ripeness. The 2023 Château de Beaucastel is a towering masterpiece of power and precision. It’s an OLD SCHOOL icon that we’ve secured, as ever, direct from the Famille Perrin; ensuring you get world-class provenance without the middleman markup. This is the undisputed king of the Southern Rhône. The Perrin family has once again delivered a masterclass in the 13-grape blend, creating a 97-POINT PHENOM that defines the word ICONIC. Despite a challenging growing season, they have crafted quite possibly the best red I have ever tasted. The wine opens with a bouquet of dark forest berries, crushed violets, and black liquorice, all elegantly draped in a smoky veil of garrigue. You'll find those classic notes of ripe fruit, mushrooms, truffles, and spiced, "animalistic" wildness. On the palate, it is deep and layered, featuring "liquid cashmere" tannins that build into a massive yet refined finish. It possesses a rare "lightness of touch" that keeps its gutsy power from ever feeling heavy, moving with the grace of a ballet dancer despite its immense scale. As James Suckling said, "The power and stony intensity pour over you in a giant wave... the freshness is extraordinary." While this Rouge is built to dominate your cellar for the next 20 years, it is so DELICIOUS that you’ll be tempted to pop the cork immediately!!!