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 crimson in color. 13.5% ABV. Clean nose of red fruits, roasted nuts and herbs. Medium body with ample acidity. Really compelling on the palate with bright, fresh fruits. Flavors of kisch, cassis and Herbes de Provence. Medium length on the finish. My expectations for this bottle were low given the vintage and an under performing bottle a few years back. I was stunned at how well this showed. What a treat! Best over the next 1-2 years.
My rating: 92 points
Current vintages of Beaucastel including the ’16 are widely available at retail and a good buy in the $100 range.