Beaucastel Named Best Wine in the World 2026
James Suckling has selected Château de Beaucastel as the top wine globally, with its 2024 flagship red scoring 99/100.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Wine
Live Poll
Do you trust expert wine critics' rankings when deciding which bottles to buy?
Château de Beaucastel, a French estate owned by Famille Perrin, was named Best Wine in the World 2026 by James Suckling. The honor followed a 99/100 score for the estate's 2024 flagship red.
Why it matters
The recognition places a single estate at the top of an international wine selection, drawing attention to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. It highlights the estate's long-standing farming practices as a point of distinction.
The Beaucastel 2024 flagship red received a 99/100 score from James Suckling. The estate grows all 13 grape varieties authorised under the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, though the source does not detail how many wines were evaluated in the selection.
The players
James Suckling
James Suckling is an American wine critic known for publishing global wine ratings and selections.
Famille Perrin
Famille Perrin is the family that owns and operates Château de Beaucastel in the Rhône Valley.
The details
Château de Beaucastel, located between Orange and Avignon in the northern part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, was selected by James Suckling for the 2026 award. Suckling first visited the estate in 1985, and the selection followed his assessment of the 2024 flagship red.
Timeline
1950: The estate began organic farming.
1970: The estate began biodynamic farming.
1985: James Suckling first visited Beaucastel.
2024: Vintage of the flagship red that scored 99/100.
2026: Beaucastel named Best Wine in the World 2026.
Culture Shift
Beaucastel's early adoption of organic farming in 1950 and biodynamic farming in 1970 places it among pioneering producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The top global honor highlights how sustainable viticulture has moved from niche practice into mainstream prestige in fine wine.
Readers interested in tasting the award-winning wine should look for the 2024 Beaucastel flagship red in fine wine shops and restaurant lists. Because the top score may increase demand, buyers planning a purchase may want to act early.
The takeaway
Choosing wines from producers who have long practiced organic or biodynamic farming can offer insight into quality and environmental care. Checking critic selections alongside vineyard practices helps guide informed purchases.
Further reading
Explore more stories in our Wine section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Moodie Davitt Report.
Live Poll
Do you trust expert wine critics' rankings when deciding which bottles to buy?
