Cesar Perrin poured me various different samples to convey an approximate idea of what the final blend of the 2023 Chateauneuf-du-Pape will taste like. A foudre that blends 50% Grenache with the remainder equally divided between Counoise and Cinsaut showed subtle spice, licorice and forest strawberry alongside gentle tannins. Another sample mingling Terret Noir, Muscardin and Vaccarese presented excellent freshness, while the subsequent single-varietal Grenache snippet was totally alluring. A Syrah portion that used 50% whole clusters during fermentation provided minty shadings, stemminess and, again, very smooth tannins. Finally, a single-varietal Mourvedre sample brought structure and fleshiness to the table. All in all, readers can look forward to yet another outstanding red Beaucastel with the potential to match or even outperform the delicious 2022. 93-95 points