Château de Beaucastel Best Vintages: Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Visit château de Beaucastel, property of the Perrin familyis a winery located in Courthézon. Today, Jean-Pierre and François Perrin have taken over the 100-hectare estate, out of a total of 130 hectares. ¾ are located in AOC Châteauneuf-du-pape.In this article, you'll find out more about the history behind this estate, as well as its cuvées, particularly the cuvée in tribute to Jacques Perrin the most prestigious in the field. What is Domaine Partenaire? It's a close partnership with the domaine's winemakers, who allocate us their finest new vintages every year! We're fortunate to be able to offer you authentic wines from a constantly replenished stock. However, quantities are limited, so don't hesitate to find out what's available on our website:

> Château de Beaucastel wines from the estate

 

 

 

The origins of the château

The origins of this family date back to the 16th century. At the beginning of the 20th c. Pierre Tramier resumes Beaucastel estate. Pierre Perrin, his son-in-law and a man of science, brought his services to the estate, later amplified by Jacques Perrin, who gave all his energy and renown to Château de Beaucastel until 1978. Beaucastel's red wines are astonishingly pure, representing the exact expression of the terroir and the grapes from which they come.

 

The Perrin family

It is made up of seven members, all of whom are involved in the company. In addition to Beaucastelthey also own vineyards in Gigondas and Vinsobresplus a thriving wine merchant, which produces more accessible wines under the names of the Old Farmhouse, Perrin familyand Miraval. Marc Perrinas part of his family, was entrusted with the management of the Miraval castleproperty of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. 

 

A well-deserved appellation

If you're looking for a vineyard in the very image of Châteauneuf-du-Papeyou've found it! The Beaucastel vineyard is completely covered by these large pebbles deposited one day by the Rhône. The Perrin family To preserve exceptional quality, the grapes are harvested by hand, the 8 grape varieties are vinified separately, and the grapes are sorted one by one for unquestionable perfection. After blending (see: Mêler différentes cuvées vinifiées séparément par cépage, par terroir, par parcelle...), the wine is aged for a year in oak foudres (see: Tonneaux de très grande capacité en bois de chêne).

François Perrin is very attached to the traditional side of winemaking: " Beaucastel carries with it the civilization of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. By producing wine by hand and avoiding modern techniques, we try to bring out the true nature of our terroir and traditions. Chemical-free production Perrin family ensures reasoned cultivation. Beaucastel has limited production to only the best years in the cuvée Hommage à Jacques Perrin. This prestigious bottle has been rated 100/100 by Robert Parker for five different vintages (including 2010), making it a firm favourite with collectors and connoisseurs alike.

 

What is the ideal age for a bottle of Beaucastel?

There are generally two peak periods for these wines: 

Around 5 years after harvest, when their fruit aromas show all the intensity and power of their youth, then again after ageing, for around 10 to 15 years or more. This is when they acquire the patina and complexity of maturity.

 

Château de Beaucastel: Best vintages and top 3 vintages

 

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tribute to Jacques Perrin

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin 1989 : noted 100/100 by Robert Parker. The first vintage of this cuvée is deeper, richer and more powerful than the 1990 vintages. There's a certain heat and scorching dryness. This incredible cuvée is massive on all levels, with classic black fruits, Provençal herbs, charred meat, melted licorice and truffle aromas. Full-bodied, dense flavors and a multidimensional texture. It's a magnificent drink today, but it should still easily improve until 2030 (see more).

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin 1990 : noted 100/100 by Robert Parker. A very sexy cuvée, associated with a spectacular vintage. Similar in style to the 2000 vintages, it is warm, dry, perfectly ripe and low in acidity. Full-bodied, supple, transparent and silky, with soft tannins, impressive aromas of liqueur, kirsch, currants, roasted herbs, meat juices and exotic spices. It's at its peak, but should easily last another decade.

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin 1998 : noted 100/100 by Robert Parker. It's massive and concentrated, with blackberry, kirsch, truffle, gamy meats, licorice and earth. It's a full-bodied, seamless, impeccably balanced wine that carries its huge assortment of fruit with freshness and remarkable grace. Although it will probably evolve brilliantly, it is sublime today.

 

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1989 : noted 97/100 by Robert Parker. Inky black/purple color, with a rich personality, extraordinarily smooth, offering notes of smoke, melted licorice, black cherry, Asian spices, and cassis. Full-bodied and concentrated, it is one of the most powerful Beaucastels. It's mature, but should last another decade. Many buyers have reported a bottle leak (due to a cork problem) with this vintage.

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 : noted 96/100 by Robert Parker. A ruby/purple color is followed by a nose filled with wild fruit, truffle, pen ink, licorice and meat juices. There are glorious levels of acidity and soft tannins. Fabulous freshness and fruit dynamism. This is a full-bodied wine that should last another 20 years or more.

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2001 : noted 96/100 by Robert Parker. A ruby and inky-black color offers a classic Beaucastel bouquet of new leather, cigar smoke, roasted herbs, black truffle, undergrowth, blackberry and cherry. Full-bodied and powerful. Matured from 2008 to around 2025.

This cuvée was produced from Grenache yields of just eight hectolitres, (according to Marc Perrin, the normal yield is around 28 hectolitres per hectare). The blend is concentrated with an intensity of raspberry and cherry fruit, and a powerful base of savory elements such as tapenade, grilled meat and dried spices. It is full-bodied with fine, silky tannins and extraordinary length, with notes of crushed stone on the finish. The color is a deep ruby red.

 

• Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape White

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 White : noted 96/100 by Robert Parker. Richer and more concentrated than the 2011, it almost overflows with its notes of marmalade, ripe pineapple, white flowers and assorted honeyed nuances. A white that's big, ripe and layered. It remains remarkably fresh and lively on the palate, although there is a little acidity. Magnificent in every way, it's excellent right now, no need for patience, but its shelf life will be very long.

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 White : noted 95/100 by Robert Parker. A slightly more closed than its 2011 counterpart. Again 80% Roussanne and 20% Grenache blanc, vinified in vats, the wine displays typical tropical fruit notes intermingled with rose petals, crushed stones, spring flowers and a rather exotic character, a little tropical, but the tangerines dominate the fruit bouquet. Drink now.

Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2007 : noted 95/100 by Robert Parker. Revealing a touch of dark gold in its color, the 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape blanc continues to shine. It is ripe and supple. Notes of caramelized citrus, brioche and tropical fruit lead to a beautifully textured sensation on the palate. It's best consumed now, but could be cellared for another 5-6 years.

It attracts the full attention of collectors. The color reveals a lighter golden hue and a classic bouquet of honeyed citrus, quince, white flowers, beeswax and a touch of flinty minerality. Medium-bodied, it has perfect balance, well-integrated acidity and a superb mineral finish. Bottles can be enjoyed now with a decanter, or stored for two to three decades as desired. The nose is floury, a little shy with a hint of almond and red apple puffiness. It's round and rich, with notes of bruised apple and marzipan. The palate is creamy and closed for the moment, but overall this is a well-balanced, decent vintage.

 

• Château Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes : 

This cuvée comes from a 3-hectare parcel on the outskirts of the estate, in the cooler northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape. It offers a bright gold hue with gorgeous notes of white currants, honeysuckle, white flowers, crushed stone and hints of gunpowder. With its freshness, full-bodied richness and great power, this is undeniably the Montrachet and a magical white. It can be drunk now, and even kept for 20 years. The nose is toasty, with a rich almond and hazelnut character, with a subtle touch of peach beneath the golden apple fruit, the palate is creamy and supported by a balanced freshness.

 

• CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL - CÔTES DU RHÔNE - COUDOULET BLANC :

The blend is composed of 30% Bouboulenc, 30 % Marsanne, 30 % Viognier and 10 % Clairette. The grapes are hand-picked, sorted, crated, pneumatically pressed, racked and fermented partly in oak barrels and partly in stainless steel vats for 8 months. With notes of slightly honeyed pineapple and ripe melon, the nose is sufficiently marked. It is medium-bodied, round on the palate and just a little soft, so is best enjoyed in the short term.

 

• BEAUCASTEL - CÔTES DU RHÔNE - COUDOULET ROUGE :

It comes from a vineyard just across the A7 freeway, on the northern edge of Châteauneuf Du Pape and not far from the estate. It gives an elegant, medium-bodied profile, with complex notes of garrigue, peppery spice and black fruit all emerging from this nuanced, balanced effort that's drinkable from the start. It has a lovely density and darkness to the color but also a density of fruit on the palate. The blend is made up of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 10% Vaccarèse/Terret Noir/Muscardin, 3% Cinsault, 7% white varietals. Grenache and Cinsault are fermented in Ciment, Syrah and Mourvèdre.

 

We hope that this article on the history of the château de Beaucastel and its cuvées. Take a look at our other winery articles:

> All Guides from our partner estates

 

 

> Château de Beaucastel official website

 

Report on Château de Beaucastel

 

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