2000 Coudoulet de Beaucastel

Francois Perrin describes the estate's 2000 reds as round and juicy, a bit like '89. "In contrast, the '99s are solid but not easy wines, best suited for purists; '99 is Wagner while '00 is Mozart." As at numerous other Rhone Valley addresses, especially in the North, 2000 has produced exceptionally strong white wines here. The estate did very little stirring of the lees, and blocked the malolactic fermentations to protect the freshness of the whites. Beaucastel can now do the pigeage for its syrah and mourvedre in wood cuves following the completion of its new cuverie With its expanded capacity, the new facility could allow Beaucastel to vinify its entire crop in five days. (Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL)