Chateau de Beaucastel

Chateau de Beaucastel is one of those estates that requires little, or no introduction. Since the Chateau was acquired by the Perrin family in 1909, Beaucastel has reached almost mythical status as one of the most important flagbearers for the Southern Rhone and in particular, Chateauneuf du Pape. Beaucastel’s red and white Coudoulet, have been widely regarded as among the finest Cotes du Rhones available, for many years, being from vineyards located barely 50m outside of the appellation limits of Chateauneuf du Pape, and vinified with the same practices and dedication, as their illustrious, Chateau de Beaucastel. Over the previous few decades, the Perrin family have also expanded their holdings, purchasing highly sought-after sites in Vinsobres and Gigondas. The Vinsobres’ Parcellaire, ‘Les Hauts de Julien’, is a stony, terraced vineyard, situated at an altitude of 300 metres and co-planted with 90-year-old Syrah and Grenache vines. Aged in a combination of foudre and barrel, this is a fabulous Vinsobres, regularly receiving 90 plus points from the leading international wine critics. The Parcellaire, Gigondas L’Argnée and Clos des Tourelles are sensational! The L’Argnee, is located in the south-western end of the Appellation. The own-rooted, pre-phylloxera Grenache vines, from the vineyard’s sandy soils, are blended with a touch of Syrah, creating a Gigondas of glorious finesse. The Perrin family acquired the Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, in 2008, which is located in the northwest of the Appellation. Planted with 80% Grenache, together with Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre, the domaine’s 10 ha are a combination of limestone and sandy soils, which include, the wonderful ‘Clos’ itself, planted with very old Grenaches vines. The Tourelles is a fabulously intense and complex Gigondas, more structured than the L’Argnee, but equally harmonious and showing real elegance on the finish. Indeed, the Perrin family continues to push the boundaries and to raise the bar in the southern Rhone, which is reflected in the consistent quality of the wines that they produce.