The result of all the efforts and innovations of three generations of the Perrin family is evident when one has the pleasure of tasting a good vintage of Château de Beaucastel at its peak. If one word could describe the red wines of Beaucastel it would be ”pure”: because these wines are the natural expression of the place and the grapes from which they come.

In this case the vineyard is a patchwork of the 13 permitted grape varieties It covers 70 hectares in all. The soil is the same porous, aerated blanket of Alpine diluvium (with rounded stones) over a base of Miocene marine limestone that exists elsewhere on the estate. The vines are on average 50 years old and yields are never more than 30 hectolitres per hectare and often much less. This is a vibrant and healthy vineyard due to years of organic cultivation.

Rating

Wine Spectator 96 points (Dec 15 2009) Layers of melted fig, mulled boysenberry and black currant fruit are laced with notes of charred mesquite, hoisin sauce and coffee. The long, silky mouthfeel belies the latent power in reserve. Best from 2010 through 2030. --J.M.

Wine maker notes

The result of all the efforts and innovations of three generations of the Perrin family is evident when one has the pleasure of tasting a good vintage of Château de Beaucastel at its peak. If one word could describe the red wines of Beaucastel it would be ”pure”: because these wines are the natural expression of the place and the grapes from which they come. In this case the vineyard is a patchwork of the 13 permitted grape varieties It covers 70 hectares in all. The soil is the same porous, aerated blanket of Alpine diluvium (with rounded stones) over a base of Miocene marine limestone that exists elsewhere on the estate. The vines are on average 50 years old and yields are never more than 30 hectolitres per hectare and often much less. This is a vibrant and healthy vineyard due to years of organic cultivation.