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Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical tasting
Tasted September 5, 2018 by sirpat00 with 392 views
Introduction
Arvi hosted an Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical with Matthieu Perrin at its chic new shop Arvino in Zurich. According to Matthieu, the 5th generation owner of the estate, this was the first such presentation in Seitzerland in a long time. Matthieu actually prefers cooler vintages such as 2008 and 2011 as Beaucastel is looking for elegance and freshness. Back in the day Jacques was one of the pioneers both in introducing organic farming and in planting a majority of mourvèdre for which Beaucastel is probably the Northern most terroire where the grapes can still show their full potential in the valley. The Hommage has had 60-80% mourvèdre in the blend since 1989 and they only produce it in the best vintages with a total of 3,000-5,000 bottes (historically every 3 years, more frequently in recent years). Having said that, the estate has planted all 13 CDP varieties since the beginnint, all if which they use for their standard wine. Also worth mentioning is the mistral of which the property catches up to 10 days, making it the most windy region in the Vellé du Rhône. Matthieu would recommend 6-7 years of cellaring for the Hommage with the 2011 and 2013 currently at the juncture between youth and first tertiary aromas. He also mentioned the 2007 and 2009 as being the more tylical showings of Hommage.
Flight 1 (1 note)
Rosé
2017 Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé
88 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
Rather low intensity, but fresh with a citric fruit and maybe some sweet berries and hints of sweet spices and floral notes. A fairly long finish is worth highlighting. Comparing this a monster rosé like Garrus unfortunately I remain unimpressed.
Rather low intensity, but fresh with a citric fruit and maybe some sweet berries and hints of sweet spices and floral notes. A fairly long finish is worth highlighting. Comparing this a monster rosé like Garrus unfortunately I remain unimpressed.
Flight 2 (2 notes)
Red
2015 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin
97 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
Initially found some dark fruit but with a clear bright candy-like berries shining through. Sweetish savoury and something like fresh white meat. Long finish with nitro injection kicking in with full force. But nevertheless a a quite velvety texture and fine tannin structure. Full body with high level of acidity. Over 2h became less intrusive with a broader fruit profile and out of nowhere a full basket of vanilla beans. Incredibly versatile, lots of power yet still elegant. Although still needing 2-4 years of cellaring, this was my wine of the night, slightly ahead of the 2009 which was already in a perfect drinking stage but showed slightly less complexitiy.
Initially found some dark fruit but with a clear bright candy-like berries shining through. Sweetish savoury and something like fresh white meat. Long finish with nitro injection kicking in with full force. But nevertheless a a quite velvety texture and fine tannin structure. Full body with high level of acidity. Over 2h became less intrusive with a broader fruit profile and out of nowhere a full basket of vanilla beans. Incredibly versatile, lots of power yet still elegant. Although still needing 2-4 years of cellaring, this was my wine of the night, slightly ahead of the 2009 which was already in a perfect drinking stage but showed slightly less complexitiy.
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Red
2014 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin
93 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
Bright strawberry but again some dimension of a darker fruit as well, at least initially. Also a bit more speicey and herbal than the 2015. Also fresh and pretty well balanced with a soft texture. Still a very good amount of acidity but also less power than the 2015. Over time more sweet spices and baking spices. Overell less amazing than the 2015 but may yet evove into a stronger showing - but hard to say.
Bright strawberry but again some dimension of a darker fruit as well, at least initially. Also a bit more speicey and herbal than the 2015. Also fresh and pretty well balanced with a soft texture. Still a very good amount of acidity but also less power than the 2015. Over time more sweet spices and baking spices. Overell less amazing than the 2015 but may yet evove into a stronger showing - but hard to say.
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Flight 3 (2 notes)
Red
2013 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin
94 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
First impression was: Beautiful. More cherry type fruit and less of strawberry candy explosion than other vintages. Also floral with first signs of tertiary notes of wet soil. Over time more fruit-forward. Dried meat or beef jerky. Nice an round on the palate with more spices. But almost falling a bit off balance and closing down after 1.5-2h or so.
First impression was: Beautiful. More cherry type fruit and less of strawberry candy explosion than other vintages. Also floral with first signs of tertiary notes of wet soil. Over time more fruit-forward. Dried meat or beef jerky. Nice an round on the palate with more spices. But almost falling a bit off balance and closing down after 1.5-2h or so.
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Red
2011 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin
94 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
Already present tartiary, but still very fine and elegant with the fruit fully on stage. A bit of fried bacon. Fresh and round with a soft texture and over time more soily / earthy notes take a step back. Very fine savoury. Medium+ finish with no hard edges what so ever. Losing a bit of intensity over time, however.
Already present tartiary, but still very fine and elegant with the fruit fully on stage. A bit of fried bacon. Fresh and round with a soft texture and over time more soily / earthy notes take a step back. Very fine savoury. Medium+ finish with no hard edges what so ever. Losing a bit of intensity over time, however.
Flight 4 (2 notes)
Red
2009 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin
95 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
High intensity bright and sweet fruit with a bit of green, fresh herbs and dried red meat. Full body with lits of structural elements. Long, strong finish with the herbal components resonating nicely. Over time in the glass some menthol pops up while strong savoury notes persist. Super firm and tight structure even after 2h. Lots of muscule here. For me the runner up of the night, right after the 2015.
High intensity bright and sweet fruit with a bit of green, fresh herbs and dried red meat. Full body with lits of structural elements. Long, strong finish with the herbal components resonating nicely. Over time in the glass some menthol pops up while strong savoury notes persist. Super firm and tight structure even after 2h. Lots of muscule here. For me the runner up of the night, right after the 2015.
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Red
2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin
93 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
A bit more jammy, porty fruit compared to the other vintages. Spiced beef jerky and dried provencal herbs accompany wet soil and mushrooms as well as some floral notes. A clear drop through of tertiary aromas to the palate which unfortunately shows a shortish, unimpressive and a bit watery finish. This the main reason for lowish score, but it is worth mentioning that Matthieu Perrin pointed out that the 2007 was probably closed but that he was 200% convinced it would open up again as did the 2009 which was closed 2 years ago. So maybe too early to sell down the private stock and give it another try in a couple of years.
A bit more jammy, porty fruit compared to the other vintages. Spiced beef jerky and dried provencal herbs accompany wet soil and mushrooms as well as some floral notes. A clear drop through of tertiary aromas to the palate which unfortunately shows a shortish, unimpressive and a bit watery finish. This the main reason for lowish score, but it is worth mentioning that Matthieu Perrin pointed out that the 2007 was probably closed but that he was 200% convinced it would open up again as did the 2009 which was closed 2 years ago. So maybe too early to sell down the private stock and give it another try in a couple of years.
1 person found this helpful
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Flight 5 (2 notes)
Red
2004 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin
88 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
Clear signs of oxidation overshadowed the fruit. Yet still fresh and more fruity on the palate with a good balance. The oxidative character receded more and more over time but then left a cellar / stable heavy profile. This was the weakest showing of the line-up - arhough I must also add some did like this almost Barolo-like version of Hommage.
Clear signs of oxidation overshadowed the fruit. Yet still fresh and more fruity on the palate with a good balance. The oxidative character receded more and more over time but then left a cellar / stable heavy profile. This was the weakest showing of the line-up - arhough I must also add some did like this almost Barolo-like version of Hommage.
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Red
1999 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin
91 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
Dry, almost dusty at first but with a clear, linear fruit that shines through. Some decanting would clearly be advised here, although aso 1h in the glass was not enough to dust it off entirely. Also on the palate too cerllary / tertiary for my liking.
Dry, almost dusty at first but with a clear, linear fruit that shines through. Some decanting would clearly be advised here, although aso 1h in the glass was not enough to dust it off entirely. Also on the palate too cerllary / tertiary for my liking.
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Flight 6 (1 note)
White
2016 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Roussanne Vieilles Vignes
95 points
Tasted as part of a Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin vertical (2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 1999) with owner Matthieu Perrin hosted by Arvi in Zurich. See the tasting story intro for more bibs and bobs on the event and some feedback from Matthieu.
Full of spices and herbs and very salty. Nice creamy texture yet with a good amount of freshness. A great, opulent white wine!
Full of spices and herbs and very salty. Nice creamy texture yet with a good amount of freshness. A great, opulent white wine!
2 people found this helpful
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