The colour is deep garnet. On the nose kirsch, prunes, espresso. In the mouth very juicy. The savour is delicious and the aftertaste last for quite a while.
Château de Beaucastel is made by Famille Perrin and is regarded as one of the great wines of France. It occupies an exceptional terroir at the Northern limit of Châteauneuf-du Pape appellation. The vines are old and have been organically grown since the sixties.
Beaucastel grows all thirteen grape varieties authorized by the Châteauneuf-du Pape appellation. The wine is a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, 10% Counoise, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault.
Each variety is harvested separately. Vinification takes place in oak fermenters for the reductive varieties (Mourvèdre and Syrah) and in traditional enameled concrete tanks for the oxidative grapes (all the others). Once the malolactic fermentation is finished, the Famille Perrin blends the different varieties. The blend is then aged in oak Foudres for a year before being bottled.
I bought this bottle seven years ago at Globus for 90 CHF. Nowadays it sells for more than 300 CHF.
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-du Pape
Grapes: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Counoise, Syrah, Cinsault
Type: Red
Vintage: 2012
Producer: Famille Perrin
Price range: Luxury (>100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 5/5