Famille Perrin has become synonymous with value. Producing a massive range of wines, from crisp Cotes du Rhone Rose to inky Crozes-Hermitage, Famille Perrin continues to impress with their current set of releases. The Perrin family acquired Château de Beaucastel in 1909 and has since then purchased or leased vineyards within the best terroirs of the Southern Rhône Valley in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas (Domaine des Tourelles was acquired in 2008) Vinsobres, Cairanne, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, and Beaumes de Venise. No herbicides or pesticides have been used since 1964. Chateau de Beaucastel has all 13 varietals planted as their large estate is comprised of130 hectares (321.24 acres), of which only 100 hectares (247.10 acres) are planted with vines in one plot.
I was blown away with the new Famille Perrin wines, and loved the value driven 2019 Famille Perrin ‘Nature’ Cotes du Rhone Blanc (OB, 90) which is remarkably fresh and shows a soft texture. Even better is their 2019 Famille Perrin ‘Les Sinards’ Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc (OB, 93) which is fresh and vibrant with incredibly good range. The top wine that I tried was the 2017 Chateau de Beaucastel Rouge (OB, 95) which really needs a few years of bottle age but is intense and captivating already. Learn more about this famed French house at http://familleperrin.com/en/ Here are the beautiful new wines from Famille Perrin.
2019 Famille Perrin. ‘Nature’ Cotes Du Rhone Rose- Light melon tones collide with white grapefruit blossom and shades of white rose water with ripe strawberry on the palate. Fresh and energetic, enjoy this over the next several years. Drink 2020-2023- 88
2019 Famille Perrin ‘Nature’ Cotes du Rhone Blanc- Kiwi and ripe cantaloupe tones with stony minerals mark the nose. The palate shows off a soft texture with green papaya, banana and orange blossom tones alongside a nice veil of tension. This is really good stuff for the price. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2019 Famille Perrin ‘Les Sinards’ Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc- The 2019 ‘Les Sinards’ Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is a blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne sourced from this 2.5 hectare vineyard. Nectarine and gooseberry tones combine with Japanese pear and stony tones on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured with great length. Layers of pretty white peach, lychee and baking spice infused Challah bread, with ripe banana tones all impress on the palate. Gorgeous in its youth, this has some good cellaring potential. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge- A whiff of garrigue and stony terroir mark the nose alongside the core of kirsch and wild blackberry that march in unison. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity. The silky texture entices as rich dark fruits mingle with smoky minerals, blood orange zest, Provenceale herbs and charcuterie tones on the palate. A sensational value, this is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2026- 92
2018 Maison Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage- Inky once in the glass, this shows green peppercorns with blackberry compote, iron and garrigue tones on the nose. The palate is dense and inviting with layers of huckleberry cordial and coffee grounds alongside smoked venison and creosote tones. Complex and delicious to enjoy in its youth, this will provide drinking enjoyment. Over the next decade. Drink 2020-2028- 92
2017 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge- The 2017 Chateau de Beaucastel Rouge is a scintillating wine from this historic estate. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre with Counoise, this comes off as a touch more heady than most vintages with layers of ripe boysenberry and black cherry with dried thyme alongside lovely savory tones and salty, stony terroir. The length here is quite impressive, as is the soft texture and bright acidity that brings you back to the glass for more. Wonderfully seductive in its youth, this has two decades of life in front of it. Drink 2022-2038- 95