2023 Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Réserve Rouge

Say Perrin, and you think of the magical Château de Beaucastel and the captivating Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wine sought after the world over. Beaucastel has existed since the early 17th century, but it wasn't until 1909, when the Perrin family became owners, that the then 100-hectare estate underwent a true transformation. More than a century later, and now in its fifth generation, the Perrin empire has grown to 325 hectares of vineyards, the vast majority of which are privately owned. Following their success in Châteauneuf, the family began acquiring other plots in the southern Rhône. Today, they operate in the Côtes du Rhône Villages, Vinsobres, Cairanne, Rasteau, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, even Beaumes-de-Venise and Tavel, and for the past few months, in the Côtes de Provence with Château Miraval, the joint venture between Perrin and Jolie-Pitt (Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie). Each of these plots is ideally situated, a maximum of 45 minutes from their home base of Orange, allowing for daily inspections. The family's current success is largely due to the late Jacques Perrin, a third-generation winemaker, a true "biodynamicist" before his time. His philosophy? Good wine is made by allowing the grapes to flourish in the best possible natural conditions. And so it was, as all chemical fertilizers and herbicides were banned from the vineyards as early as 1964. In the cellar, too, nothing is left to chance.

The Perrins built a state-of-the-art winery on the nearby La Vieille Ferme estate, equipped with all the latest technology. But the family will go down in history as the masters of blending. This is undoubtedly the Perrins' great secret: they are convinced that blending the right grapes in the right quantities produces better wines. Something the family still does every year. Over the course of five generations, the Perrin family has acquired several vineyards with the finest terroirs in the southern Rhône Valley. These vineyards are managed and vinified according to the same principles and conviction as Château de Beaucastel. Within the 'Famille Perrin' range, you can discover the riches of the southern Rhône Valley through various renowned appellations such as Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Vinsobres, Cairanne, and Rasteau. Here too, the authenticity and essence of the terroir are central to all wines.

This Perrin is a true Côtes du Rhône! Fruity and fleshy with superb tannins, this "everyday" wine is a pleasure to drink. Its translucent, deep ruby red color. The nose reveals aromas of red and black berries and a hint of dried Provençal herbs. The palate reveals notes of small, very ripe red-black fruit and a hint of pepper, followed by a good finish with supple tannins.