We are delighted to announce that our Rhône 2019 En Primeur campaign is underway with the release of one the region's iconic wines: Château de Beaucastel 2019 from Famille Perrin.
Despite numerous meteorological and viticultural challenges there is a lot of hype around the Rhône 2019 vintage, which has been touted as the fifth stellar vintage in a row and where several producers believe the quality is "exceptional".
The growing season began with some instances of frost followed by the occasional hail storm in Spring, yet nothing severe enough to warrant any real cause for concern. Moving into Summer, however, the combination of a prolonged heat-wave throughout June, July and August and a distinct lack of rainfall started to make growers anxious. Nevertheless, crops were healthy and harvested in glorious September sunshine and on the whole 2019 is a vintage of low yields yet high quality, that upon first inspection looks to have produced complex, concentrated and intense wines made from the enigmatic Syrah grape (also known as Shiraz).
Winemaker Marc Perrin noted that "years ending in 9 regularly mark the memory of winegrowers and this vintage continues the pattern... [2019 was] born, once again, under a lucky star; '79, '89, '99, '09 and bringing up the half-century 2019."
He went on to say that despite some challenging conditions throughout the season, the 2019 vintage has produced wines that are "supremely promising". The start of the season was marked by an early bud-burst at the beginning of April, followed by a cool, wet spring leading to a slowdown in vegetative growth. Flowering was fairly spread out and took place in good, stable conditions and winter pruning carried out in line with biodynamic practices. Several heatwaves in June, July, and August were the main causes for concern, however, with plentiful water reserves the risk of hydro-stress remained low. Warm days and cool nights allowed the grapes to reach full maturity and were harvested only slightly earlier than usual, resulting in balanced, complex, and refined wines.
Andrew and I are most grateful to Famille Perrin for sending us samples, which we tasted earlier this week at Moor Park HQ. Our personal view is that 2019 is another outstanding vintage in the Rhône Valley, where Marc has once again produced excellent wines from top to bottom. This is a great opportunity to purchase wines of the highest quality, and lay them down for future drinking.
Vinsobres 'Les Cornuds' Rouge 2019
£85.00 IB (12x75cl)
"Impressive nose of dark black fruits such as black cherry, black plum and cassis with hints of violet and abundance of black pepper spice. Juicy and plump on the palate, with great concentration, structure and grip thanks to ripe tannins that wrap around a core of further dark black fruits, garrigue wild herbs and liqourice spice." Drink 2022-2029.
Gigondas 'La Gille' Rouge 2019
£145.00 IB (12x75cl)
"Refined nose of black raspberry and black cherry with violet and blackcurrant leaf undertones. There is more structure and a firmer texture to the Gigondas (in comparison to Vinsobres) thanks to well-seasoned toasted oak and cinammon that fuse with additional black cherry and touches of liqourice, charcoal and black pepper spice. Pure and precise." Drink 2024-2034.
Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2019
£140.00 IB (12x75cl) / £145.00 IB (6x150cl) MAGNUMS
"Complex nose of black cherry with added blackcurrant and cassis undertones. There is wonderful purity with an almost silky texture thanks to the generous dark black fruit core of black chery that intermingles with cinnamon and liqourice spice. Multi-layered with further touches of black coffee and mocha that are balanced by ripe tannins and subtle spice on a seamless, generous finish." Drink 2024-2034.
Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2019
£270.00 IB (6x75cl) / £540.00 IB (6x150cl) / £195.00 IB (1x300cl)
"Wow. Incredibly complex nose of multi-layered black cherry and cassis fruit that wrap around undertones of violet, rockrose and liqourice spice. Gorgeous, pure and concentrated texture with effortlessly silky, smooth tannins and juicy acidity that knits the wine together. The depth, power and concentration of black fruits, coffee, toasted oak and graphite tones are mesmerising and really take it to another level. A sensational wine!" Drink 2028-2040.
Please note these wines are sold En Primeur and prices quoted are In Bond (per case as stated), excluding UK duty, VAT, and release/delivery charges. They will be shipped into our Bonded Warehouse in November 2021.
