Beaucastel is regarded by many as one of the top estates, if not the top estate, of Châteauneuf du Pape, in the Southern Rhône Valley. And yet, in one very special way, it is atypical for the appellation. Of all the estates in the region, Beaucastel is one of only three to plant and vinify all thirteen grape varieties permitted under Châteauneuf du Pape appellation regulations. Whereas others focus on Grenache, with a mixture of other varieties, Beaucastel uses a high proportion of Mourvèdre, matching the contribution from Grenache in the final blend. Their vineyards are a patchwork of the 13 permitted grape varieties, covering 70 hectares in all. 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 many years of organic cultivation. Just a handful of wines are produced at Beaucastel, including, of course Chateau de Beaucastel itself. In addition there is the beautiful white Chateau wine and a very special, and extremely rare 100% Roussanne white wine. This is a wine I have tasted just once, back in 1999, its intensity and elegance are still with me today. And, one must not forget the excellent Coudoulet de Beaucastel wines, both red and white. Although Coudoulet is appellation Cotes du Rhone and not Chateauneuf it is nonetheless referred to as a ‘Baby Beaucastel’, north east of Beaucastel the soils, practices are almost identical, although the grape blend and maturation processes are very different.
Beyond the wines of the Beaucastel estate are the many excellent wines produced by the family under the Perrin & Fils labels. There aim here is to produce benchmark Southern Rhone wines from Vineyards that they either own or control. In fact, the Chateau de Beaucastel vineyard team now looks after nearly 300 hectares of vines, of which two thirds are fully owned by the Perrin family. The family’s purchase a few years ago of 40 hectares above Vinsobres would seem to have been inspired, as this village has just received full Appellation Controlee status like Vacqueyras and Gigondas, although they were originally more influenced by the fact that the vineyards makes them much better suited to Syrah than any of the ‘hotter’ appellations further down the valley. You will also see that we can offer a very slick Rasteau and the very impressive Les Sinards, Chateauneuf.
2006 has proved to be a very, very good vintage for the Rhone, both North & South. Across the board the great wines of The Rhone have been a match for their much heralded 2005 predecessors. Two us, 2006 is noticeably silkier and plump than the 05s were at a similar stage in their evolution. Doubtless the tannic structure is a shade softer and acids are lower. The wines are likely to be of a more forward nature, although the top appellations will age well for 10-15 years and more.
Please see below for pricing. Please refer to the Beaucastel website or the HarperWells office with further enquiries.
2006 Beaucastel Prices
Chateau de Beaucastel Rouge – Case of 12 (limited)
£395 Under Bond
£485 delivered
"As for the 2006 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape, it is a top-notch success and one of the vintage's top wines. A big, sweet, beefy nose intermixed with truffles, tree bark, fresh mushrooms, blackberry and black currants as well as some road tar jumps from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. The wine has terrific fruit on the attack, medium to full body, very concentrated flavors, and moderate tannin in the finish. This is a strong Mourvedre-based cuvee that needs 4-6 years of bottle age and should last 25-30 years."
93-94/100 Parker - Outstanding
Chateau de Beaucastel Blanc – Case of 12 (limited)
£395 Under Bond
£485 delivered
"The 2006 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape white (80% Roussanne and the rest Marsanne, Picpoul, and Bourboulenc) is superb. A beauty of richness, elegance, and complexity, it exhibits notes of tropical fruits, marmalade, honeysuckle, rose water, and spice. The wine is rich, full-bodied, with tremendous texture, length, and purity. It should drink well for at least 5-6 years before it goes into that weird state of development.*"
94/100 Parker – Outstanding
*White CNDP often closes down in mid life and can appear tired, only to develop freshness in latter years.
Roussanne Vielles Vignes Blanc – Case of 6 (very limited)
£360 Under Bond
£440 delivered
"The very limited production and single greatest white wine of the southern Rhone is their 100% Roussanne cuvee from 50+-year-old vines, the 2006 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes white. This is a sensational wine, with notes of lychee, marmalade, and exotic fruits such as mango in addition to more classic notes such as poached pear and buttered brioche. The wine is full-bodied, unctuously textured, but not heavy or plodding. This is a masterpiece of white winemaking that is full-bodied, powerful, and should drink beautifully for 4-6 years before it heads into unknown territory. My guess is that this will rebound in about 12-15 years time and last for 25-30 years."
97/100 Parker – Extraordinary
All orders of this wine are subject to final confirmation – preference to clients who follow further wines across the 2006 Perrin range.
Coudoulet de Beaucastel – Case of 12
£115 Under Bond
£156 delivered
91/100 Parker - Outstanding
Coudoulet de Beaucastel – Case of 6 Magnums
£115 Under Bond
£156 delivered
91/100 Parker - Outstanding
Coudoulet de Beaucastel – Case of 24 Halves
£130 Under Bond
£173 delivered
91/100 Parker - Outstanding
Coudoulet de Beaucastel Blanc – Case of 12
£129 Under Bond
£172 delivered
90/100 Parker - Outstanding
2006 Perrin & Fils Prices
All cases of 12 bottles, all red wines
Cairanne ‘Peyre Blanche’ Cotes du Rhone Village
£72 Under Bond
£105 delivered
Visobres ‘Les Cornuds’
£72 Under Bond
£105 delivered
Rasteau ‘L’Andeol’ Cotes du Rhone Village
£87 Under Bond
£122 delivered
Vacqueyras ‘Les Christins’
£99 Under Bond
£136 delivered
89-90/100
Gigondas ‘La Gille’
£135 Under Bond
£179 delivered
Chateauneuf du Pape ‘Les Sinards’
£184 Under Bond
£236 Delivered
91/100 Parker - Outstanding
All wines are offered subject to final availability.
PrintChateau Beaucastel 2006 En Primeur Order Form PDF
Print Perrin 2006 En Primeur Order Form PDF
Wines to be shipped to the UK late April 2008, delivered to domestic addresses early May.
Please add £5.99 to any order for home delivery.