Famille Perrin, Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Cotes du Rhone 2021

“A terrific vintage for this wine, which was bottled just a couple of weeks prior to my late June visit, the 2021 Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel is a blend of 30% each Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, plus 10% Cinsault. From a vineyard just outside the boundaries of the appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it’s a remarkably consistent wine and always a solid value. Scents of sunbaked stones, black cherries and licorice appear on the nose, joined by hints of purple raspberries and dark chocolate, while the medium to full-bodied palate is lush and velvety, finishing long and complex.”-92WA, 2023-2035

Produced by Famille Perrin, an esteemed winemaking family in the Rhone Valley of France, Coudoulet de Beaucastel is often considered the “Baby Beaucastel.” Château de Beaucastel is seen by many as a benchmark producer of top quality Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  The Coudoulet soil has many similarities to that of Beaucastel.  It is made up of Molasse seabed covered by diluvial alpine deposits.   These pebbles called “Galets Roulés” play a big role: They take in the heat during the day and let it if off slowly at night which gives a good start to the vines in the Spring.

Allowing for an incredible value.  Today, the 5th generation of Famille Perrin continues their legacy of winemaking at both Château de Beaucastel and Coudelet de Beaucastel under common values: absolute respect for the land and the terroir, biodynamic culture, always seeking to create the best expression of the wine each year with balance and elegance.

Pioneers in their innovative approach to organic farming since the 1950s and then in biodynamic farming in the early 1970s, Famille Perrin continues to always search for the best techniques to respect the uniqueness and authenticity of their terroir. Respecting the terroir means not only enhancing the soil characteristics and the environment, but also highlighting the history of the place: understanding its specificity in order to keep it alive and healthy.

Exclusively hand-picked, the grapes are carefully sorted when they arrive at the cellar and each varietal is vinified separately.  Grenache and Cinsault provide warmth, color, and roundness. Mourvèdre, and Syrah provide structure, aging ability, color, and a very straight taste. The same skill in blending that has been passed down in the Perrin family from generation to generation is utilized in Coudoulet de Beaucastel wines. Famille Perrin holds the deep conviction that flavorful grapes are the key to crafting an expressive wine which reveals its unique aromas and the specificity of its terroir. As a result, oak aging is not dominant in order to allow the grape varieties and terroir to take center stage. The final blend is 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 20% Cinsault and 20% Syrah.