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.
Light red in color. 13.5% ABV. Initially somewhat off putting on the nose but that blew off after 30 minutes or so. Aromas of red fruits, kirsch liqueur and iron. Light to medium body with ample acidity. Firmly in the traditional CdP camp. Cherries, kirsch, blood and herbes de Provence on the palate. Nice length on the finish. Everything about this bottle improved over the course of the night. I’ll decant my next bottle for at least an hour or two. Best over the next 2-4 years.
My rating: 91 points.
Current vintages of Beaucastel including the ’16 are widely available at retail and a good buy in the $100 range.