Rated: 91 points Glass-staining ruby. Exotic aromas of black raspberry and cherry preserves, potpourri and smoky spices. Sweet, sappy and penetrating, offering seamless red and dark berry flavors enlivened by tangy spice and mineral notes. The finish repeats the spicy quality and leaves a trail of sweet berry notes behind. This is appealing now but has the concentration and balance to age.
2007 Stars with Decanter and International Wine Challenge
DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARD
Gold Medal Châteauneuf du Pape Grande Reserve 2007
Bronze Medal Châteauneuf du Pape Vignobles de la Serriere 2007
And the Chateauneuf du Pape Grande Reserve 2007 was in the Decanter Magazine (March Issue), “Highly recommended” with 4 stars, placing it in 12th position out of 205 Chateauneuf du Pape tasted in this special article. In the same article, Chateauneuf du Pape Vignobles de la Serriere 2007 was qualified of Good Value (only 26 out of 205 CNP tasted).
INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE
Silver Medals Châteauneuf du Pape Grande Reserve 2007 Châteauneuf du Pape Vignobles de la Serriere 2007 Cotes du Rhône Terroir du Rhône 2007
Oz Clarke's 250 Best Wines Book - Sept 2009
100 for a Tenner Section (“This section offers the widest choice of styles and places, grape varieties and flavours. This section says – be brave, try something different. This section says – if you throw your prejudices out the window, you can actually drink better, for less. You just have to be open minded enough to try”; etc. etc.)
2007 Côtes du Rhône, Le Pavillon du Château Beauchêne – Private Cellar The label tells me this is made by the Bernard family, who have been winemakers since 1794. A strange time to start, bang in the middle of the French revolution, but perhaps land was cheap – like, free – then. Anyway, they make nice wine. This has a very pleasant gentle strawberry and raspberry fruit just slightly bruised by the southern sun, but smoothed by soft brioche dough, then lightly scuffed by river valley stones.
Retailers’ directory: All these retailers have been chosen on the basis of the quality and interest of their lists. Private Cellar: Friendly, personal wine advice is part of the service; wines are predominantly French, with lots of “everyday claret” at £10-£15.
Jancis Robinson MW (UK) - August 2009
Ch Beauchêne, Le Pavillon 2007 Cotes du Rhône Rouge 16.5 Drink 2009-13 Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault. 4 months in oak. Pale bright ruby. Very meaty nose! Blood oranges, tomatoes and fresh red berries. Sweet, rounded mouthful without a trace of heaviness. Light on its feet. Raspberry fruit with just a scanty suggestion of chocolate. Velvety tannins. Crunchy citric coriander spice. GV. 13.5% (TC) £8.25 Private Cellar
Ch Beauchêne, Premier Terroir 2006 Côtes du Rhône Rouge 16.5 Drink 2010-14 Quite taciturn on the nose. Rugged tannins – needs a little time? Very exuberant, high- spirited fruit just held in check by a lingering liquorice finish. A rather intriguing undertone of Turkish delight and chocolate. Flattering and easy to like. 13.5% (TC) £10.95 Private Cellar
Simon Woods (UK) First Taste - August 2009
Pavillon du Château Beauchêne Côtes du Rhône 2007 (£8.25 Private Cellar) This is a lovely, almost chillable red, with a fragrant, tangy orange peel edge adding interest to the spicy red berry and pomegranate flavours B+ (Bronze plus)
Château Beauchêne Châteauneuf du Pape Vignoble la Serrière 2004 (£17.70 Private Cellar) This starts off in dumb and brooding fashion, then emerges to show deep, spicy plum and berry flavours, hints of tar and herbs, and a slightly roasted edge and some dusty minerality to the finish. Very classy, but needs time to show its true colours – so decant it or keep it. S (Silver)
The Telegraph (UK) - 50 Best Summer Picnic Wines - June 2009
Le Pavillon du Chateau Beauchene, Cotes du Rhone 2007A smooth and spicy blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah that would enhance any dejeuner sur l’herbe. It is sublimely soft and far more characterful than most Cotes du Rhone wines. Try it with one of Melton Mowbray’s finest (Pork Pie).
2 Silver Medals
Chateauneuf du Pape Vignobles de la Serriere 2006 with Decanter Wine Awards Chateauneuf du Pape Grande Reserve 2006 with International Wine Challenge
Château Beauchêne Premier Terroir, Côtes du Rhône 2005 Drink 2008-13. 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre. Black fruit, liquorice, a bit primary on the nose. Firmly structured and giving a little aromatic spice on the finish, plus a more open and complex range of flavours than you might anticipate from the aromas. 13.5% (RH)
Ch Beauchêne, Vignobles de la Serrière 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 18 Drink 2009-12 Grenache Blanc 20%, Clairette 20%, Bourboulenc 30%, Roussanne 30% - no oak. Herbs and straw on the nose – interesting! Very succulent, smooth fruit with enough wellintegrated acidity. Very fine. Bloomy undertones.
Ch Beauchêne, Vignobles de la Serrière 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 16.5 Drink 2011-18 Grenache Noir 65%, Syrah 25%, Mourvèdre 10%. Aged in old barriques and cuves. Very dark crimson. Aromatic and high toned with lots of ripeness and a hint of smoked meat. Rich and welcoming already rather than tense and with enormous potential. Finishes a little short. This would not disappoint, so long as the price is reasonable, but it’s not one of the most dramatic. (This was mistakenly shown among the special cuvées whereas the Grande Réserve stood out among the regular bottlings.)
Ch Beauchêne, Grande Réserve 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 17.5 Drink 2012-20 Grenache Noir 80%, Syrah 15%, Mourvèdre 5%. Very old Grenache vines - aged in old barriques and cuves. Very sweet black cherry aromas and sumptuous fruit. Luscious and black fruit – all upfront fruit but that's pretty impressive! Go for it young. Relatively simple but with lots of pleasure.
The Saturday Telegraph Nov 2008
Jonathan Ray's Christmas Wine List in the Saturday Telegraph.
Impromptu Drop-ins: "It's a good idea to have a few bottles stashed away for unexpected guests. They need to be of reasonable quality, but there's no need to break the bank.
For reds, try the spicy, bitter cherry Châteauneuf-du-Pape-in-all-but -name 2006 Château Beauchêne Premier Terroir Côtes du Rhône (Private Cellar)..."
Wine & Spirit Magazine Nov 2008
2006 Château Beauchêne Côtes du Rhône Villages Vignoble de la Vialle mentioned in the « Best of the rest » in a Special Rhône article.
The Guardian Oct 2008
2004 Château Beauchêne Les Sens de Syrah – “Pure Syrah, with fruit that has an almost translucent quality: it has a velvet texture, glides across the tongue and tastes deeply curranty without feeling heavy. At its core you find something reminiscent of cool stones. The appellation belies the quality. » 4 stars
Decanter World Wine Awards 2008
Two silver medal for our Cotes du Rhone Premier Terroir 2006 et notre Clairette de Die Saisons de Beauchene.
Chateau Beauchene, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Grande Reserve 2006 17 Drink 2014-2024 Bright healthy glowing crimson. Thyme on the nose and very rich yet sturdy build on the palate. Still quite reserved but lots of pleasure to give in the future.
Ch Beauchene, Grande Réserve 2004 Côtes-du-Rhône 15.5 Drink 2006-08 Quite pale cherry red. Agreeable but initially reticent almost to the point of disappearance but then the wine started to assert itself as is a very well-balanced, sleek amalgam with a certain amount of complexity. Good balance. Fresh.
Cotes du Rhone Red 2003 - Les Sens de Syrah Chateauneuf du Pape Red 2001 – Cuvee de la Serriere
INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2005
Bronze Medal : Chateauneuf du Pape Red 2003 – Grande Reserve
INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2005
Seal of approval : Cotes du Rhone Red 2003 – 1er Terroir Seal of approval : Cotes du Rhone Red 2003 – Grande Reserve Seal of approval : Cotes du Rhone Red 2004 – Les sens de Syrah
CONCOURS DES GRANDS VINS DE FRANCE – MACON 2005
Gold Medal : Cotes du Rhone Red 2003 – 1er Terroir
INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION 2004
Bronze Medal : Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – 1er Terroir
INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2004
Seal of Approval : Cotes du Rhone Villages Red 2001 – Les Charmes Silver Medal : Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – 1er Terroir
CONCOURS DES GRANDS VINS DE France – MACON 2004
Gold Medal : Cotes du Rhone Red 2003 – Grande Reserve
GUIDE HACHETTE 2004
Star Selection : Cotes du Rhone Villages Red 2001 – Les Charmes Star Selection : Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – Château Souffles de Costerelle Star Selection : Chateauneuf du Pape Red 2001 – Grande Reserve
WINE SPECTATOR – DECEMBRE 2003
90 points : Chateauneuf du Pape Red 2001 – Grande Reserve
INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2003
Seal of Approval Cotes du Rhone Villages Red 2001 – Les Charmes Seal of Approval Cotes du Rhone Villages Red 2001 – Vignoble de la Vialle Seal of Approval Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – Château Souffles de Costerelle
CONCOURS DES GRANDS VINS DE FRANCE – MACON 2003
Silver Medal : Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – Grande Reserve Silver Medal : Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – 1er Terroir Bronze Medal : Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – Château Souffles de Costerelle
THE INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION
Commended : Cotes du Rhone Villages Red 2001 – Les Charmes
GUIDE HACHETTE 2003
Star Selection : Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – Les Sens de Syrah
MAITRES CONSEILS EN VINS DE France 2002
Gold Medal : Cotes du Rhone Red 2000 – 1er Terroir
LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE – The Best Rhone wines under 8€ - July 2002
*** Cotes du Rhone Red 2001 – Les Sens de Syrah *** Cotes du Rhone Red 2000 – Grande Reserve
THE TIMES - TOP 100 SUMMER WINES JANE MCQUITTY
Chateauneuf du Pape Red 2000 Grande Reserve
DECANTER MAGAZINE – February 2002
Highly recommended **** : Chateauneuf du Pape Red 1999 – Grande Reserve
![CHÂTEAU BEAUCHÊNE - Bernard Family - Collecting owner - [Homepage]](/img/logo.gif){kind=logo}
