Hommage Jacques Perrin 2012

Description

Commentaire de Robert Parker (octobre 2013)
More rich and layered, with thrilling aromas and flavors of blueberry, blackberry, licorice, crushed stone, lavender and underbrush, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin will most likely be the wine of the vintage. Compared to the 1989 by Marc Perrin, it is full-bodied and massively constructed, with a deep, layered mid-palate, stunning purity and massive structure that’s partially hidden by all of the fruit. It should be given a handful of years in the cellar (rest assured, it can deliver plenty of pleasure in its youth) and then consumed over the following two decades or more. Drink 2018-2028+.

Covering a full 175 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape, with significant holdings throughout the Southern Rhone (mostly vinified at and released under their Famille Perrin brand), Chateau De Beaucastel is a benchmark estate that excels at all price points. Looking at the wines reviewed here, 2011 is surprisingly strong (especially for the Chateauneufs) and with their perfumed aromatics and supple textures, they show a lot of similarities to the 2009s. The 2012s as a whole show more freshness and purity, with good concentration, and should require more bottle age to come around. Both vintages are worth seeking out. Looking at the 2011s across the board, all of which were in bottle, it appears to be a strong vintage here. While the vintage suffered due to uneven ripening in the Grenache, it was actually a solid vintage for Mourvedre and this shows, particularly in the Chateauneufs.