2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Hommage à Jacques Perrin, Château de Beaucastel
About Producer
Organic since 1950 and biodynamic since 1974, Beaucastel vineyards cover 100ha on sandstone overlaid by rocks, stone and limestone soil. The origins of the property trace back to 1549 when Pierre de Beaucastel bought a barn with a plot of land at Coudoulet. Wines were produced here until the phylloxera infestation. In 1909, Pierre Tramier acquired the estate and replanted the vineyard, before handing over to his son-in-law Pierre Perrin. A pioneer and visionary figure, Jacques Perrin, Pierre’s son, expanded the domaine in the 1960s and brought Beaucastel to fame. Today, the family estate is managed by Jean-Pierre and François Perrin, Jacques’ sons, and their children, representing the 5th generation.
Varietals
Blend of 60% mourvèdre, 20% grenache, 10% syrah and 10% counoise. Launched in 1989 as a tribute to Jacques Perrin who ran the estate until 1978, this cuvée is only made in the best years with around 6,000 bottles produced on average.
About Appellation
Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tradition and history are inextricably entwined with the Avignon Papacy. Prior to the 14th century, vineyards were owned in the region by the bishops of Avignon, but mostly for local consumption produce. Things drastically changed following the decision of Pope Clement V, former Archbishop of Bordeaux, to move the papal court in 1309 to Avignon. Said to be great lovers of Burgundy wines, Clement V and his successor John XXII also did much to improve local viticultural practices to such an extent that wines from the area became known as 'Vin du Pape', under John XXII. The appellation currently covers around 3,150ha of vineyards spread over five distinct terroirs between the towns of Avignon and Orange. A total of thirteen grape varieties are allowed to be used in red and white wines, with grenache (black, grey and white) being the star player, and often syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault in supporting roles.
Tasting Notes
Alluring nose of dark fruits, tobacco, burnt caramel, leather, allspice, garrigue and tilled earth, dense mouthfeel with lush texture, remarkable precision and impressive fruit purity, multilayered flavours of blueberry, blackberry, kirsch liqueur, game bird, coffee, mushroom and liquorice underpinned by a firm mineral backbone, well-judged acidity and fine-grained tannins leading onto a long, peppery finish. Having recently turned the corner towards drinkability, this is a phenomenal wine with incredible finesse, reverberant energy and beguiling complexity, cloaking its restrained muscularity in racy freshness. It’s juicy, rich and powerful yet everything is held in impeccable balance without ever being out of kilter. Keeping its weight and presence in perfect control, it’s a marvel of intensity and elegance, and an overwhelming feast for the senses indeed. (05/2024)