2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Château de Beaucastel, Rhône

An expansive palette of grape varieties adds to the ensemble of Beaucastel's Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2007, be it the white pepper from the Counoise, the hedgerow from the Cinsault, the notes of summer pudding from the Syrah or the pure red berry fruit from the Grenache. It is however the power of the dominant Mourvèdre with its notes of charcuterie and bacon rind, which intimates longevity and a satisfying crescendo over the next fifteen years.