2017 Beaucastel - Chateauneuf du Pape-MAGNUM (1.5L)

Château de Beaucastel is one of the great names of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, owned by the Perrin family for five generations. It’s famous for using all 13 permitted grape varieties and for putting Mourvèdre, not just Grenache, at the center of the blend. The estate has been farmed organically since the 1960s. Its vineyard is one large block in the north of the appellation, covered in classic galets (rolled river stones) over clay, sand and limestone. Each variety is hand-picked and fermented separately, then the wine ages a year in large oak foudres. 2017 was the driest year in three decades, which gave a tiny crop of concentrated fruit. Expect kirsch, black cherry, cassis and plum, with garrigue, black olive, leather, truffle, bay leaf and pepper. The palate is dense yet elegant, with velvety tannins and a long, smoky finish. Magnums age slowly and gracefully, so this one has a long road ahead. Decant before serving with lamb, venison or wild boar.