Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château de Beaucastel Blanc, Perrin - Château de Beaucastel 2009

The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is an amazingly open-knit, full-bodied, honeyed white boasting tons of orange marmalade, quince, white currant and creme brulee liqueur-like notes, stunning purity and richness, and a fabulous full-bodied, unctuously textured mouthfeel. Its richness is off the charts, and the wine offers a completely contrasting style with the more delineated, zesty 2010. I would opt for drinking the 2009 over the next 4-5 years.

The 2009 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape blanc reveals the greater intensity, richness and potential longevity of this vintage. Made from the same blend as the 2008, the 2009 sees some new oak (15%), but that component is totally hidden by copious notes of quince, honeyed citrus, peaches and apricots. With good acidity as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel, this stunning white should evolve for 7-8 years or longer.