Château de Beaucastel Roussanne Vieilles Vignes Blanc - 2022

• Bottle Size: 75cl
• Alcohol: 14%
• Units of Alcohol: 1.75 units per 125ml
• Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Style: Full Bodied
• Grape Varieties: Rousanne
• Closure: Cork
• Allergens: Contains Sulphites

Appearance: A stunningly deep and intense golden hue, the colour of this Roussanne Vieilles Vignes hints at its richness and complexity. Its radiant golden tones speak to the exceptional ripeness of the vintage and the maturity of the vines.

Aroma: Powerful and expressive on the nose, this wine captivates with layers of aromatic complexity. Expect seductive notes of acacia honey, ripe and lightly stewed stone fruits such as apricot and peach, and a subtle touch of freshly baked brioche, hallmarks of top-tier Roussanne from old vines.

Taste: On the palate, this wine is luxuriously dense and silky. Opulent flavours of beeswax, citrus peel and sun-ripened fruit are perfectly balanced by a refreshing lift of acidity and a delicate, elegant bitterness. Rich yet refined, this Roussanne reveals remarkable freshness and complexity, showing the depth of character only an outstanding vintage can offer.

Pairing: This exceptional white wine pairs beautifully with richly flavoured dishes such as lobster in butter sauce, roasted poultry with creamy mushroom sauce, or aged cheeses like Comté and Beaufort. Its intensity and elegance also make it a wonderful companion to truffle-infused dishes and foie gras.

Château de Beaucastel Roussanne Vieilles Vignes Blanc is a rare gem from the southern Rhône, considered one of the finest white wines in France. Produced in tiny quantities, just 6,000 bottles per vintage, it is crafted exclusively from very old Roussanne vines, grown on a unique terroir in the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

The estate’s white vineyard plots span just 7 hectares, rooted in the historic molasse seabed of the Miocene period, overlaid with rolled pebbles from ancient Alpine floods. This exceptional soil structure, combined with low-yielding old vines, produces grapes of remarkable character, power, and aromatic depth.

The 2022 vintage was marked by climatic extremes. A dry and unusually warm winter and spring led to excellent vine health, with no disease pressure. Summer brought intense heat, but well-timed mid-August rainfall allowed the fruit to achieve full ripeness with remarkable aromatic complexity. Harvest began on 19 August, eleven days earlier than the previous year, and was carried out in optimal conditions, with only light sorting required.

Traditional winemaking methods ensure the wine’s purity and longevity. Grapes are hand-harvested into small cases, gently pressed, and fermented in a combination of oak barrels (30%) and stainless steel tanks (70%). After 8 months of élevage, the wine is bottled with minimal intervention.

This extraordinary Roussanne can be enjoyed young for its richness and vibrancy, or cellared for over 15 years to unlock even greater depth and nuance. Perfect for pairing with refined gastronomic cuisine, it showcases the best of the southern Rhône’s terroir and time-honoured winemaking tradition.

96/100
"Richer, more honeyed than the 2023 on the nose. Generous and full-bodied, with low acidity and more noticeable noble bitter notes than the 2023. The oak isn't quite so well integrated yet, so give it more time to harmonise. Powerful, though, and very flavoursome, with a spicy profile. The alcohol doesn't feel excessive, even for a hot, dry vintage like 2022. A particularly bold and powerful example of this cuvée, which is from a single parcel of Roussanne, planted in 1919 and grown biodynamically. Aged in one-year-old demi-muids and barriques."
- Decanter, 2025

17.5/20
"Cask sample. Nose is nutty and reduced, rich and dense. The palate is intensely concentrated with almond, apple skin, pear and a lovely texture, high dry extract and concentration. Rich and with real depth. A sweetness and lovely nutty notes on the golden-fruit-drenched finish. Drink 2027 - 2040"
- Jancis Robinson, 2023

97/100
"Amazing nose of dried apricots and caramelized pears with a lot of toasted nut complexity. Very rich and mellow on the full-bodied palate, this glides over your palate. Opulent in the best sense, the creaminess very sensual, and then comes the amazingly graceful and properly dry, super-long finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling, 2024

96/100
"This extraordinary white is just beginning to open up to reveal its expert mix of power and refinement, with measured opulence held in check by saline-streaked mineral notes. There's plenty of ripe yellow apple and pear to give the desired voluptuousness, with a simmering well of energy keeping tension from start to lengthy finish. Subtle oak toast and buttercream hints remain gracefully integrated in the backdrop. A few years in the cellar will allow this to really shine. Drink now through 2035."
- Wine Spectator, 2025