Chateau de Beaucastel, located in Courthezon in the Southern Rhone Valley, has over 250 acres of organic vineyards. Unlike many Rhone Valley producers, Beaucastel grows all 13 of the grapes permitted in the appellation and the estate uses an unusually high percentage of Mourvèdre in its red wines, usually around 30%, along with 30% Grenache and smaller amounts of Syrah, Counoise, Cinsault, Vaccarese and Muscardin. The estate’s most prestigious wine, Hommage a Jacques Perrin, is made with 70% Mourvedre. Several families have owned the estate over the course of its 400-year history and the present owners are the Perrin family, whose ownership of the estate dates to 1909.
Garnet in color. 13.5% ABV. Sublime nose of red fruits, leather, garrigue and roasted herbs. Medium body with perfect acidity and balance. Packed with rich, ripe fruits. Kirsch, raspberry liqueur, iron and a hint of white pepper on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. A touch riper than I like but delicious nontheless. Perhaps this resolves with more time in the bottle. Best over the next 2-4 years.
My rating: 92 points
Current vintages of Beaucastel including the ’20 are widely available at retail and a good buy in the $100 range.