2009 Beaucastel CDP Hommage a Jacques Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape

2009 Beaucastel CDP Hommage a Jacques Perrin

99+ JD

Featured Review

Easily one of the top wines of the vintage and an utterly profound wine, the just bottled 2009 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin, 70% Mourvèdre and the rest an even split of Grenache, Syrah, and Counoise, aged all in foudre, delivers a brilliant array of pure blackberry, blueberry, meat, truffle, and licorice-like characteristics on the nose. Intense and yet focused at the same time, this shows astounding purity of fruit as well as background complexity. Full-bodied, massively structured and fruited on the palate, the wine is perfectly balanced, possesses a huge, mouth filling texture, amazing focus and precision, and a blockbuster finish. This cuvee is surprisingly accessible in its youth, but doesn’t start to develop its true character until around the age of 20 (the ’89 is still a baby). Gorgeous stuff to say the least. Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 99+ JD

Potentially the wine of the vintage, the 2009 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin had just been bottled two weeks before my visit. A wine of extraordinary density, richness, precision and unreal flavor intensity, it reveals abundant gamey, meaty notes intermixed with smoked duck, Provencal herbs, blueberries, blackberries, kirsch and licorice. This loaded, multidimensional, massively concentrated 2009 is much softer than most Hommages. It should be drinkable in 3-4 years and keep for 30-40 years thereafter. Kudos to one of the world’s great winemaking families!

Brothers Jean-Pierre and Francois Perrin as well as their four sons, Thomas, Marc, Pierre and Mathieu, have quickly become the dominate wine producers of the entire southern Rhone Valley. They have expanded their operation even further by partnering with the Jaboulets. Now having over 1,200 acres in vine and extensive contracts, this is a high quality locomotive, great news for consumers seeking a range of top quality red and white wines in all price ranges. The Perrins’ greatest success is undeniably their enormous quantities of high quality, inexpensive wines called La Vieille Ferme, a white from the Cotes du Luberon and a red from the Cotes du Ventoux. The Perrins are now the top producers of wines from the cool climate southern Rhone appellation of Vinsobres, located in the northern sector of the region and meaning “sober wine.” In 2008, the Perrins purchased one of the better estates in Gigondas, Clos des Tourelles, a 25 acre property located at the southern end of the village from which they make two cuvees. True stars in the Perrin portfolio are the white and red Cotes du Rhone from their estate called Coudoulet which is adjacent to the appellation of Chateauneuf du Pape. As longtime readers know, Chateau de Beaucastel makes two of the great white wines of the southern Rhone, although in Chateauneuf du Pape the rather dramatic amelioration of quality that has taken place with white winemaking has given them more competition than they had a decade ago.

Robert Parker | 99 RP

Very dense, with Turkish coffee, roasted alder and allspice notes out front, followed by a huge core of Black Mission fig, crushed black currant and black licorice notes. The long finish lets loam and ganache flavors stride through, showing cut and precision. This has serious power and intensity, and should cruise easily in the cellar. Best from 2017 through 2030. 500 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 97 WS

(70% mourvedre and 10% each of grenache, counoise and syrah, all raised in foudre): Glass-staining purple. Hypnotic bouquet of black and blue fruits, potpourri and exotic spices. Broad, sappy and strikingly pure, with intense blackberry and boysenberry flavors that reach ever corner of the palate. Rich but lithe wine with a seamless texture and superb finishing clarity. This wine's marriage of power and vivacity is something else.

Vinous Media | 96 VM

The 2009 and 2019 are both being offered on the Place de Bordeaux this year and were tasted together showing remarkable ageability and evolution over time. A lovely brick-red colour in the glass, the nose is characteristic and full of personality. Raspberry and soft cherry fruit on the palate, still young and fresh but with a brush of sage and liquorice. This is really delicious, sweet and satisfying. A great food wine with plush tannins and a kick of spice around the edges. Great to drink now. Drinking Window 2021 - 2035.

Decanter | 95 DEC

Type of Wine	Chateauneuf du Pape : You can expect Chateauneuf-du-Pape reds selection to wash over you with a combination of leather, game, tar, and delicious dried herbs, creating a spice mixture that commands respect from even the harshest non-believers. Chateauneuf-du-Pape whites are ever so refreshing and bold, frolicking in a field of floral notes and earthy minerals.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Rhone : While the Northern Rhone produces only about 5% of all wine coming out of the Rhone Valley, the quality of these bottles is not to be underestimated. The terroir in this region is heavenly for growing Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne or Rousanne - the only permitted grapes in the AOC. Picture this - the Rhone flows through the valley like an azure thread piercing the landscape, a reflection of the dreamy skies hovering above the vineyards, ready to produce rainfall at a moment's notice. The rocky soil of the steep, almost surreal hillsides provides a bountiful feast for the grapevine roots. The flavors and texture of Northern Rhone wines tell you everything you need to know as soon as your lips touch the elixir, like a whisper in the vigorous valley winds As per the Southern Rhone wine, it is like taking a plunge into a whirlpool of juicy flavor. Every sip explodes forward like a crashing tsunami, bathing your tastebuds in delicious aromas of prune, chocolate, grass, and black fruit. The wines are so compelling that it can be hard to drink them casually at a social event without getting lost in their intricate textures and emotional depths. Let's set sail together, and drink deep from these luxurious bottles with our friends and loved ones.

Producer	Chateau de Beaucastel : Resting upon historic terroir near the northern perimeter of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Southern Rhone’s most prestigious winegrowing appellation, resides Chateau De Beaucastel; feasibly the most famous estate in the region. It has long been regarded as one of the greatest wines in France: its history one of the eldest in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and the family responsible, one of the most revered in the region. Notorious for its elegance, balance and ageing, Beaucastel is consistently awarded exceptional reviews and ratings from professional critics and wine writers around the world. The history of the estate has been traced back to 1549 when the original plot was purchased by Pierre de Beaucastel. Its antiquity speaks volumes to the presence of Beaucastel in the region, but it was not until 1909 when the estate was transferred to the Perrin family, in which Chateau de Beaucastel would begin its marvelous journey towards becoming perhaps, the finest estate in Southern Rhone. The year 1978 marked the beginning of the modern era of Beaucastel, as Jacques Perrin succeeded his father, Pierre and took control of the estate. The meticulous, talented and ambitious proprietor pioneered a new method (which he patented) of malolactic fermentation in which the grapes are heated to an extreme heat for a very short period and then cooled, removing select enzymes and in the process retarding oxidation, slowing fermentation, while allowing for more freshness and purity in the fruit. During Jacques Perrin’s tenure, the estate swelled to 130 hectares, the largest underground cellar in the Rhone valley was constructed and the name Chateau de Beaucastel became the pinnacle of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape winemaking, which all others aspired. Today the torch is being carried by his sons, Jean-Pierre and Francois, with the help of Marc, Pierre, Thomas, Cecile, Charles, Mathieu and Cesar, proudly representing the 4th and 5th generations (respectively) of Perrin family winemaking at Chateau de Beaucastel. The strength of this family unit is its ability to blend the talents of each family member in order to run the estate under common values: absolute respect for land and terroir, biodynamic culture as a philosophy of life, the research of truth, balance and elegance. Chateau de Beaucastel is a magical place, where nature is blooming, liberated and at ease; surrounded by hills planted with vines, century-old olive trees and truffle oaks situated in the municipality of Courthezon. Its exceptional terroir is marked by the Rhone, composed of marine molasses (sandstone) from the Miocene period, covered by Alpine alluvium and the omnipresent and famous Galets Roules (large round stones) which greatly contribute to the growth of the vines by collecting and then transferring the sun’s heat into the soil and vine roots. The location’s meso-climate plays and important role with a low rainfall, beautiful sunshine and spectacular temperature differences. The legendary Mistral wind, which whistles down the entire Rhone valley, blows through the vineyards of very old and gnarled vines cooling them during periods of extreme heat and drying them during periods of excessive rainfall. Beaucastel’s ancestral soils bear the fruit of all 13 permissible Rhone varieties (Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, Vaccarese, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardin, Bourboulenc, Roussanne and Cinsault). Of the estates 130 hectares under vine, 100 are cultivated in the AOC (Appellation of Origin Controlled) of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. The remaining 30 hectares reside in the AOC Cotes-Du-Rhone (Coudoulet). Together the Beaucastel and Coudoulet vineyards offer a spectacular collection of wines, including Beaucastel Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (red and white) Beaucastel Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes (old vines) and Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes-Du-Rhone (red and white). A special cuvee, Beaucastel Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin (which pays tribute to the well-revered and talented winemaker Jacques Perrin) is produced only in the greatest of vintages and is produced with a considerable amount of Mourvedre (60%) which is unique for Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. It is also interesting to note that Beaucastel’s Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Rouge (red) is blended using all 13 grape varieties, including 5% whites. The Chateauneuf Blanc Vieilles Vignes is 100% Roussanne and is the benchmark for white Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. The entire portfolio produces around 20,000 to 25,000 cases each year, with the Roussanne Vieilles Vignes accounting for only 500 cases and the Hommage a Jacques Perrin (when produced) a mere 350 cases.