Chateau de Beaucastel 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 750ml

Bright ruby-red. Liqueur-like raspberry, licorice and a medicinal quality on the nose. Then quite backward in the mouth, with very primary dark berry and black cherry flavors hinting at great ripeness. Quite primary today and less animal than usual for a young Beaucastel. Elegant, slow-building finish features fine-grained tannins and excellent grip.

Score: 92+ points -- Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, Jan 2004