2004 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape One of the great successes of the vintage and certainly better than their 2003 is Beaucastel’s 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape. Deep ruby/purple in color with loads of licorice, smoked game, black cherry and blackberry fruit, along with incense and truffle, the wine has fabulous richness, high tannin, medium to full body, and beautiful length, richness, and purity. This is a beauty and one of the vintage’s finest wines. Give it 4-6 years of bottle age and drink it over the next 25+ years. It has the potential to be one of the longest-lived Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage. Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 169 Feb 2007
WS 96 Pts. - Thoroughly primal, with a torrent of raspberry and
boysenberry fruit rushing forth, this only shows hints of its full
range, with licorice, incense, graphite and mocha flavors fluttering in
the background. It's also got ironclad structure, and a long finish
that shows great cut and grip. Shows none of the severe tannins of the
2003. Best from 2009 through 2025.