2000 Chateau de Beaulon Vieux Pineau des Charentes (500ml)

Château de Beaulon's remarkable vintage Pineaux offer a glimpse into a category that almost never receives this sort of time or attention. Produced entirely from the historic estate surrounding the 15th-century château, this extraordinary 2000 Blanc is composed of 80% Sémillon with the balance Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, varieties that Beaulon has steadfastly maintained alongside the traditional grapes used for its Cognacs. After more than two decades of evolution, the wine has taken on the deep complexity that makes old Pineau such a singular experience. The color has moved toward burnished copper-gold, while the youthful fruit has developed into layers of vanilla, toasted almond, honey, gentle spice and rich preserved fruit. Yet beneath all that maturity remains the freshness and structure of the original vintage. This is worlds removed from simple aperitif Pineau, a mature fortified wine of extraordinary depth from one of the Charente's great historic estates. At this age and level of quality, these wines begin to invite comparison with the world's great long-lived sweet wines: Sauternes, Madeira, Coteaux du Layon and Vin Santo. Yet for sheer price-to-quality ratio, none can hold a candle to the extraordinary Beaulon vintage Pineaux we are offering today.