Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Southern Rhône
Rhône in France

Click to read: Behind The Bottle; Pierre Perrin.

This 17th century wine estate has a vineyard area of 119 hectares, and is located in the town of Courthézon on the southern Rhône in France.

Today, it is run by the fourth generation of the Perrin family. Brothers Jean-Pierre and Francois Perrin, assisted by Thomas and Matthieu, who represent the fifth generation have dedicated themselves fully to the estate’s organic wine-making practices.

Its winemaking style and practice is traditional and often considered by Rhone wine lovers to be among the very best of the appellation, alongside that of Château Rayas. Many feel its success could be triple fold; keep yields low, age of their vines which exceed 50 years, and high temperature fermentation to encourage maximum tannins extraction for long-term cellaring as evident in the 1978 vintage which we tasted, as published in the following page.

In the words of Pierre Perrin, winemaker and owner of Beacaustel in March 2008, he described Beaucastel success and wine philosophy attributing it to two considerations; “Terroir and Blend”. “Blend is very important” as he goes on saying with the right formula, their wine will see character of great ripeness, and finesse. On the concept and belief in “Terroir is balance” inspires the man behind the label in balancing their efforts in achieving the perfect final product, which is then exported and consumed worldwide.

The estate wine’s offerings and bottling is summarized as below:

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin (Red): Built for the export market, this is a luxury super-cuvée, which saw its first bottling in 1989. It is primarily a blend of some 60% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, with the rest divided amongst Counoise and Syrah. Some 400 cases are made every year.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge (Red): The main grapes in this master blend is 40% Mourvedre, 40% Grenache, with the rest divided amongst Syrah, Counoise, Cinsault, and other grape varietals as permitted in this appellation. The fruit is harvested from 70 hectares vineyard within the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, between Orange and Avignon. 12 months in oak plus 12 months in bottle prior to release. Estimated 15,000 cases made annually.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc (White): The fruit is harvested from 7 hectares vineyard within the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, between Orange and Avignon. Blend is mainly 80% Roussanne, 15% Grenache blanc, and the rest 5%. 30% new oak, 70% in vat before blended and bottled. Rougly 1,700 cases made annually.

Roussanne Vieilles Vignes (White): Made primarily of 100% Roussanne. 3 hectares 75-year-old vines vineyard within the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, between Orange and Avignon. 50% in tank and 50% barrel-fermented with blending done prior to bottling and release. 500 cases made annually.

Coudoulet de Beaucastel Rouge (Red): A Côtes du Rhône which comes form 30 hectares of vineyard, comprising of mainly 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah and 20% Cinsault. At least 11,000 cases is made every year.

Beacaustel is widely available in the Asian wine retail scene due to the exceptional attention and efforts of its strategy in penetration and distribution. Over the past 18 months (2007) while there had been price movements, it still remains affordable and alternate and viable source of wine appreciation and enjoyment amongst wine consumers and drinkers. Its super-cuvee, Hommage is priced beyond the reach of the average wine consumer, and is a challenge and a prized asset to the affluent wine merchant, and wine collectors.

Contact Details:
Famille Perrin
Château de Beaucastel
Chemin de Beaucastel
84350 Courthezon
France
Tel.: +33 4 9070 4 00
Fax: +33 4 9070 4119
E-mail: familleperrin@beaucastel.com
Website: Click here

Further Reading:
Berry Bros & Rudd
BK Wine
Delong Wine
Fine Wine Experience
Grape Radio
Mark Squires’ Bulletin Board on eRobertParker.com
The Wine Doctor
Wally Wine
Wine Anorak
Yakshaya.com

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2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône

F22092006. F12102007. 13.5%. A classic blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the balance other permitted varietals. Aromatic bouquet of black currant, olive and spice. Medium to full-bodied, plums, ripe and chewy cherry tannins with a medium spicy finish. Enjoyable now. Drink between 2009 to 2016.

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2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône

F22092006. F12102007. 13.5%. 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the balance split among the other permitted varietals of the appellation. Very concentrated with sweet raspberry fruit on the nose. Medium to full-bodied. Backward yet rewards your palate with decent sweet raspberry and blackcherry. Gamey on the finish. Drink between 2009 and 2024.

2002 Château de Beaucastel Blanc
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône

F26012007. 13.0%. A blend of 80% Roussanne, 15% Grenache blanc, and 5% diverse grapes. A heavy wine with layers of honey, sherry and dried apricots. Good effort with the right acidity, vanilla and short to medium finish. Drink between 2005 to 2010.

2002 Coudoulet de Beaucastel
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône

F26012007 13.5%. Good initial impression of black berry, silky fruit and barnyard. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile is somewhat diluted and hollow. Characteristically thin for the vintage but still good value for money drink for the near term. Enjoyable to drink but not one for mid term cellaring. Drink soon.

2003 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône

F22092006. F12102007. 14.0%. 50% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 30% to varietals like Syrah and Counoise. A full-bodied wine rich in sweet black fruit, tannins, and blackberry liquorice. Still much too young, with lots of ripeness and a lovely medium finish. Drink between 2010 to 2024.

2004 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône

F26012007. 14.0%. 40% Mourvedre, 40% Grenache, and the rest Syrah, Counoise, and other varietals. Back fruit basket - currant, berry, with liquorice, and herbs. Medium to full-bodied, cherry liquorice, with some complexity for the long haul. Impressive style with a medium to long finish. Drink between 2012 to 2028.

2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône

S15032008. 00.0%. Tasting and blending session held in Singapore. Fresh and firm aromas of sour and black cherries with some minerals and herbs. Full-bodied, very firm and concentrated with unusually young persistent and overwhelming tannins and acidity, with good length. Still largely undeveloped and experimental.

1978 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône

S15032008. 13.5%. Despite the age shown on its bottle, there’s a residue of strong raspberry, with subtle sea air aromas. Very lively for a 30 year old wine, medium-bodied with a raspberry and cherry laced palate, tingeing acidity, enjoyable possessing finesse, which gave this rare and precious wine a rare showing and greatness as it charms and wakens your mind and palate. Good balanced fruit and iced-tea like finish. Excellent stuff. Enjoyable now. Drink from 2008 to 2018+.

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Photograph and text by Daniel. Hit us with your best shots; we’ll try our best to listen. Send your inquiries or comments here or via email to jiuwine@gmail.com.