2023 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Rhone Valley

A rich and ripe vintage, with a touch of honeyed nuttiness from the oak. It’s a generous style, rounded and very deep in fruit. The alcohol feels a little more elevated than a typical vintage (even though it's only 14%), but it has concentration and depth. Slight grapefruit bitters on the finish. Harvested quite early this year. Roussanne all in barriques; new and one-year-old.

94 points Matt Walls, Decanter

Château de Beaucastel is one of the Southern Rhône's most celebrated estates, with the Perrin family producing exceptional wines from their historic Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards for generations. Although its red is internationally renowned, the white is equally impressive and considerably rarer. The 2023 Blanc captures Beaucastel's distinctive combination of richness, aromatic complexity and freshness, with the structure to develop beautifully over time.

Roussanne dominates the blend, supported by Grenache Blanc and other traditional white Rhône varieties. The estate's organically farmed vineyards and varied soils contribute concentration and character, while careful maturation preserves the wine's balance between ripe fruit and savoury complexity.

Pale golden straw with luminous highlights. Ripe white peach, apricot and pear mingle with honeysuckle, lemon oil and a little fresh fennel. The palate is rich and beautifully textured, with succulent stone fruit, gentle almond and spice supported by refreshing acidity. A subtle saline character and lingering citrus notes give the long finish impressive definition.

Try it with Singapore chilli crab, roast pumpkin and ricotta agnolotti with sage, or grilled prawns with saffron and preserved lemon. Its richness would also complement a fragrant Moroccan fish tagine.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2038+. Enjoy its youthful fruit or cellar for the honeyed, nutty and savoury complexity that mature Beaucastel Blanc can develop.