When Annette Schiller and I met Matthieu Perrin of Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, at the Veritable Groupe Show in Frankfurt 2021, we discussed with him the possibility of visit of Château de Beaucastel during the Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours. Unfortunately, as it turned out, a visit of Château de Beaucastel was not possible in 2022 because of a major ongoing construction project.
Instead, Matthieu proposed a tasting of Château de Beaucastel wines at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, also owned by the Perrin family, in Gigondas, led by Alexandre Fréguin, Sommelier at the Michelin-starred L'Oustalet Restaurant (UK Best Sommelier), also in Gigondas and also owned by the Perrin family.
Annette like the idea and also included a gourmet wine-pairing dinner with Alexandre Fréguin at the L'Oustalet Restaurant in the Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, following in the evening the tasting at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles in the afternoon.
So, we ended up having an outstanding tasting of Château de Beaucastel wines at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles in Gigondas led by Alexandre Fréguin, Sommelier at the Michelin-starred L'Oustalet Restaurant (UK Best Sommelier), followed in the evening by gourmet wine-pairing dinner with Alexandre Fréguin at the L'Oustalet Restaurant.
Picture: Tasting with Matthieu Perrin of Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, at the Veritable Groupe Show in Frankfurt
At Domaine du Clos des Tourelles in Gigondas
With a long history, the Domaine du Clos des Tourelles is the first construction built outside the ramparts of the village of Gigondas. This exceptional place owes its uniqueness both to its bastide built in the 17th century and to its 25 acres vineyard known in particular for the parts planted with very old Grenache. Grenach, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre are the grape varieties that are perfect for this terroir of limestone soils with a marly-sandy matrix.
Famille Perrin
wine-searcher.com: Famille Perrin is a leading wine producer and négociant in the southern Rhône Valley. The business was established in 1997, and today makes wines from some of the region's most famous appellations, including Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The Perrin family has been making wine in the region since the early 1900s, when scientist Pierre Perrin inherited the Château de Beaucastel estate. Perrin's grandchildren, François and Jean-Pierre, founded the Famille Perrin business together before passing on the reins two years later to the fifth-generation Perrin, Pierre, in 1999.
In addition to its renowned Château de Beaucastel estate, Famille Perrin's portfolio includes Miraval, Domaine du Clos des Tourelles and La Vielle Ferme. Domaine du Clos des Tourelles is situated in Gigondas and comprises 10 hectares (25 acres) of vineyards planted to 80 percent Grenache, with smaller plantings of Syrah, Cinsaut and Mourvèdre. The La Vielle Ferme brand was established in the 1970s, and comprises a range of red, rosé and white wines from vineyards in Ventoux and Luberon. Famille Perrin uses organic and biodynamic approaches in its vineyards.
Also, the Perrin family owns jointly with the Haas family the famous Tablas Creek Estate in Paso Robles, California.
Château de Beaucastel
(winetourism.com)
History of Beaucastel
In 1549, Pierre de Beaucastel bought a barn with a plot of land extending to 52 saumées at Coudoulet. The manor house was built and the estate was named after the family. The estate underwent several ownerships until 1909 when Pierre Tramier transferred the estate to his son-in-law Pierre Perrin. Today, the torch is being carried by Jean-Pierre and François, Perrin’s grandsons that continue the beautiful story of Château de Beaucastel. Beaucastel is a family story, the story of Famille Perrin.
The Perrin Family Philosophy
Their main strength is being able to blend the talents of each family member to run the wine estate under common values: absolute respect for land and terroir, biodynamic culture as a philosophy of life, the research of truth, balance, and elegance. Respect to the terroirs includes both enhancing the soil characteristics and highlighting the history and authenticity of the place. The family of Château de Beaucastel over time has realized this and worked to maintain the uniqueness and originality of the area. At Beaucastel, the wines are all about finding the perfect blend, expressing each variety. The blending is privileged with unique know-how, passed down from generation to generation. Taking the best from each plot, with each variety expressing its true nature. Château de Beaucastel continues the tradition of blending the 13 historical varieties of Châteauneuf du Pape, and every year it makes a unique wine with an exceptional mix of power, structure, elegance, and freshness.
The Terroir of Château de Beaucastel
The vineyards of the château are a prime example of nature’s finest works. The vines are left to grow freely, and the only tending is done for stimulating the physiology of the plant and its natural resistance, inside a unique ecosystem, preserved with passion. Along with vines, the yard is home to hundreds of bees, birds, cicadas, and ladybugs who naturally protect the grapes. The 100 hectares situated around the Château, the historic land of Beaucastel, have the memory of the 13 traditional grapes varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The remaining 30 hectares are farmed with rotated crops to prepare new vineyard plantings: every year, one or two hectares are plowed up and the equivalent area is replanted on land unplanted for at least 10 years.
Alexandre Fréguin
Alexandre Fréguin began his career as an apprentice at Michelin-starred Restaurant Pierre Reboul, Aix-en-Provence (2009-11).
He has since gained experience in many prestigious establishments in France and the UK, including Les Loge in Lyon, L’Enclume in Cartmel, Hôtel Casadelmar in Porto-Vecchio and Restaurant Jean Sulpice in Val Thorens.
Currently, Alexandre Fréguin is the Sommelier at L'Oustalet Restaurant (1 star Michelin) in Gigondas. He has also been training to qualify as an Advanced Court Master Sommelier. Alexandre Fréguin was a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2022. In 2018, he won the "Best Sommelier of the UK" award.
The Wines we Tasted
2020 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel US$24
2017 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel US$25
2017 Château de Beaucastel - Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge AOC US$84
2016 Château de Beaucastel - Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge AOC US$95
2006 Château de Beaucastel - Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge AOC US$124
Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours (Issued and Forthcoming Postings)
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