2015 Beaurenard - Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Classique
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Leading off the 2015s, which were tasted from bottle, the classic 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a fresh, elegant traditional cuvée that offers perfumed notes of ripe strawberries, raspberries, and garrigue. With medium-bodied richness, integrated acidity, fine tannin and solid length, it's already drinking nicely, yet will keep for a decade or more. This cuvée is always a mélange of varieties, yet is primarily Grenache, with 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, aged 15 months in foudre and a tiny amount in new barrels.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
Made from two-thirds Grenache and the rest a mix of other permitted varieties, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape features an attractively floral and forward nose, medium body and silky tannins. It's not particularly rich or concentrated but offers a degree of spicy elegance on the finish.
Brilliant ruby-red. An aromatic bouquet evokes spicy red berry and cherry scents, along with hints of garrigue and peppery spices. Smooth and round on the palate, which offers sweet red fruit and floral pastille flavors and picks up a smoky element with air. Shows hints of darker fruit on a persistent finish that's framed by smooth, slow-building tannins.