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Buy OnlineThe Southern Rhone Valley in France is widely regarded as one of, if not the best, wine growing regions in the world. Combine this with a family that has five generations worth of winemaking experience and you have a recipe for excellence. This is Famille Perrin.
Here the family has a number of Estate Vineyards, the most famous of which is the Chateau de Beaucastel, which they bought in 1549. A family business through and through, Famille Perrin is now headed by Jean Pierre and Francois Perrin, who look after the vineyard with a degree of care and attention to detail seldom seen elsewhere.
Having adopted an organic approach to winemaking as early as the 1950s and then biodynamic in 1974, the people of Famille Perrin believe in encouraging and working alongside nature when producing their wines. If they look to plant new vines, a horse and plough is used. This philosophy applies not only to their main Estates, but all the way to their Village Vineyards too. In this way, the family at Chateau de Beaucastel are able to look after and give back to the land that has provided them for so long, and in return are able to create a wine that is unchallenged in its authenticity to the Southern Rhone Valley.
Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"The 30 hectares of Coudoulet are located just east of the vineyard of Beaucastel on the other side of the A7 motorway. For reasons that have now become obvious, Coudoulet is often considered the baby Beaucastel. The Coudoulet soil has many similarities to that of Beaucastel. It is made out of Molasse seabed covered by diluvial alpine deposits. These pebbles called “Galets Roulés” play a big role: They take in the heat during the day and let it if off slowly at night which gives a good start to the vines in the Spring.
Hand-picked grapes are collected in baskets prior to sorting, pneumatic pressing and clarification of the must, fermentation partially in oak barrels and partially in steel tanks. For eight months in barrels and steel tanks, before blending and bottling, without cold stabilisation.
Beautiful gold-colour with subtle green undertones. The nose reveals a superb, very delicate aromatic bouquet with aromas of citrus fruit such as lemon and grapefruit, combined with notes of white flowers and lime blossom. Beautifully tense and perfectly balanced, the palate extends these citrus aromas, highlighted by pretty saline notes. The finish reveals a beautiful bitterness."
91/100 Matt Walls, Decanter UK, March 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Currently quite closed on the nose – just a little pear, almond and anise – but lovely sense of intensity and precision on the palate. There’s welcome acidity, and it's not too full-bodied – only medium really. Drinkable and gently saline. Leave until late 2022 to start drinking, 2023 if you can. Contains 30% each of Viognier, Marsanne and Bourboulenc and 10% Clairette. 50% of the blend spent a year in 4-year-old barriques."
