Vintage 1998
A.O.C. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France
Beaucastel’s vineyards are based on the famous rounded stones called galets that were deposited in times when the Rhône river raged as a torrent, tearing fragments of rocks from the Alps onto the plains. The galets soak up the intense heat during the summer ripening months and release it during the evenings. Water retention is poor which helps the Châteauneuf vines struggle and thus bear fruit more easily.
The Perrin brothers, the current owners of Beaucastel‘s 100 hectares, do not use chemical fertilisers, preferring to use a compost made on the property from a mixture of sheep manure and the previous year’s pressings (marc) which helps to maintain the soil’s own natural equilibrium.
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“The splendid 1998 Hommage a Jacques Perrin is a compelling wine. Dense plum/ruby/purple, with intense notes of kirsch liqueur intermixed with licorice, camphor, incense, and black fruits, this wine cuts a broad swath across the palate, is very opulent, with a multi-layered texture, and despite its power, massiveness, and structure, comes across as pure, well-balanced, and classic in its proportions…” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Jun 2010)
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Code: 100142
Optimum Drinking Period: 2010-2031
Robert Parker: 100
Wine Spectator: 97
Stephen Tanzer: 98
