Rhône

Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998
Rhône
12 bottles per lot

ABOUT THE WINE
One of the longest lived of all Chateâuneuf du Papes, the domaine was founded in 1549 by Pierre de Beaucastel as a simple hovel. The large 270 acre vineyard is meticulously organically farmed and while other growers are gravitating solely toward Grenache; Mourvèdre is championed and lesser, though distinct grapes, such as Counise, Muscardin, and Vaccarese are given their due. The regular cuvee of Beaucastel generally contains one third Mourvèdre. Indeed, it is one of the few major estates to still contain all thirteen permitted varietals for the appellation. The cepage combined with a playful amount of brettanamyces gives an unusual flavor profile of dark roasted fruits, merdre, mushrooms and saddle leather. Though a popular and marketable label, it is clearly not a wine for everyone and generally Beaucastel draws a strong reaction one way or the other. This distinct wine and the Mourvèdre grape for that matter, reaches its apogee in the Hommage a Jacques Perrin, a tête cuvee of seventy percent Mourvèdre. A tribute to the stalwart who steadfastly maintained the tradition and uniqueness of Beaucastel; it is easily a fifty year wine in the better vintages due to its massive extraction, weighty substance and stolid structure.