2021 Chateau de Beaucastel, Grande Cuvee, Hommage a Jacques Perrin

The quality of the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin is impossible to ignore, almost cruising at the same high altitude as the 2020. Aged in foudre and made from the usual blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The 2021 Hommage à Jacques Perrin displays fragrant violet, blackcurrant, red and black cherry, blueberry, thyme, lavender, licorice and mint aromas. Full-bodied, polished and enveloped in an intricate web of velvety tannins, it concludes w ith excellent persistence on the complex finish.

The full-bodied 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin is one of the finest wines of the vintage. Precisely sculpted strawberry, raspberry, crushed violet, licorice, tangerine peel and lavender aromas emerge from the glass. Discr ete cedar and black cherry add more dimension. Ripe, almost velvety tannins gently structure this gorgeous 2021—it’s all about class and refinement. This is one of the most Burgundian renditions of this cuvée in recent history.

One of the original big name French wines on the Place de Bordeaux, now joined by many others but still leading the pack in terms of prestige and quality. Juicy, powerful, seductive, a ton of spice, underbrush, red cherry, bilberry, cumin, toasted oak, incense, powerful liqoruice and cocoa. So much complexity but also so much lightness of touch, just love this wine and its lyricism. Winemaker César Perrin effortlessly handles a vintage that had plenty of challenges.