Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2014

Probably the wine of the vintage (I feel like I say that every year for this cuvee), the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin is a substantial, full-bodied, shockingly concentrated 2014 that gives up classic notes of blackberries, blueberries, forest floor, beef blood and licorice. Mouth-coating and rich with building tannin, it will be approachable at an earlier age than most vintages, yet will still need 5-6 years of cellaring. While 2013 and 2014 are no doubt difficult vintages, this is still a brilliant lineup of wines from the Perrin Family. When speaking about 2014, Marc Perrin commented that there was a lot of mildew pressure and they had to work extremely hard in the vineyard. Yields were down 40% due to dropped fruit, and I think their commitment to quality shows in the wines. The estate excelled in 2013 as well, and both their classic Châteauneuf du Pape and the tiny production Hommage a Jacques Perrin are some of the wines of the vintage. JEB DUNNUCK, Wine Advocate