2018, Château de Beaucastel, CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE, 'Hommage', Jacques Perrin

Blend: Mourvèdre, Counoise, Syrah.

2018 Hommage à Jacques Perrin, an old-vines cuvée that is even more influenced by Mourvèdre – making up 60% of the final blend. The warmth and power of 2018 is evident in the Hommage, but so too is the overriding influence of Mourvèdre, tempering the warm and spicy Mediterranean fruit with a distinctly saline and dried herb character, whilst lifting the finish with a note of violet. This is a rich, layered Hommage aptly termed “flamboyant” by the Perrins, with huge savoury intensity providing balance to the ripe, dark fruit.

Opaque ruby. Powerful dark berry, cherry cola, incense, potpourri, musky earth and spice-cake aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up a smoky mineral nuance with aeration. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated but energetic black raspberry, cherry preserve, five-spice powder and lavender pastille flavours given lift and spine by a core of juicy acidity. Blends richness and finesse with a deft hand and finishes incredibly long and precise, with youthfully firm tannins adding shape and final grip. 95-98 Josh Raynolds, Vinous.

It was clear right out of the gate that 2018 would be an excellent vintage of Hommage à Jacques Perrin, and two years on you can see how it is shaping up to be both powerful and self-contained. The fruit character is savoury and mouthwatering, with light flicks of spiced cedar, garrigue, sour cherry and grilled raspberry. This is so good, maintaining grip right through the palate and stretching out the flavour with a saline kissed finish. Organic. 97 Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine.

2018 Hommage à Jacques Perrin, an old-vines cuvée that is even more influenced by Mourvèdre – making up 60% of the final blend. The warmth and power of 2018 is evident in the Hommage, but so too is the overriding influence of Mourvèdre, tempering the warm and spicy Mediterranean fruit with a distinctly saline and dried herb character, whilst lifting the finish with a note of violet. This is a rich, layered Hommage aptly termed “flamboyant” by the Perrins, with huge savoury intensity providing balance to the ripe, dark fruit.