2011 Château de Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin 2011 1500mL

96 POINTS

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

There is a potential cuvee that might end up being labeled 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin. As you can see, my rating for this wine is probably one of the lower ratings for this estate, even though it is a brilliant wine given the vintage. The Hommage cuvee was first made in 1989. At the time of my visit, the Perrins were still uncertain as to whether its evolution would justify a separate bottling. The wine displays considerable tannin, and is full-bodied with Mourvedre's meaty, blood-like component intermixed with blue fruits, tree bark and porcini mushrooms. While dense it is certainly not at the level of the greatest vintages of Hommage to date. It will be interesting to see where this wine ends up, either declassified into Beaucastel's 2011, or bottled separately.

96 POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck

Already forward and approachable (especially by this cuvee’s standards), the 2011 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage À Jacques Perrin offers up classic blueberry, violets, beef blood and earthy, mineral qualities on the bouquet. Downright sexy on the palate, with full-bodied richness and a voluptuous, mouth-filling texture, it nevertheless has ample tannin and concentration, all of which build nicely on the palate. While it will have upward of three decades of longevity, it will be one of the more approachable Hommage A Jacques Perrins in its youth as well.

95 POINTS

Josh Raynolds - Vinous

Saturated ruby. Heady, expansive aromas of black and blue fruit liqueur, potpourri and incense, with smoky Indian spices emerging with air. Juicy, strikingly intense blackberry and blueberry flavors are complicated by notes of minerals and candied violet, with a subtle peppery quality adding bite. Velvety tannins give shape to the extremely long, spicy, penetrating finish, with the floral note echoing. This stunning, palate-staining wine gets my vote as the best Chateauneuf of its vintage.

94 POINTS

Matt Walls - Decanter

A little moody and inexpressive on the nose, showing some liquorice and earth, blackberry fruit. Beginning to take on some spice notes but this is still in a truculent phase. Full, round and concentrated on the palate - explosively fruity, and high in alcohol, a little unbalanced. Currently feeling a little unfriendly, so give it a little longer before opening, until at least 2022. In the context of other 2011 Châteauneufs this is a very good wine, but I suspect will never really put on a smile like the vintages on either side.