2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Hommage à Jacques Perrin, Château de Beaucastel, Rhône

Dark glowing purplish crimson. Sumptuous, spicy red wine rather than particularly recognisable as Châteauneuf. Really quite structured. Indeed the finish is pretty chewy. But the fruit is certainly intense and bright. Pretty smart winemaking with spice the dominant note.

Drink 2023 - 2034

Loaded with mulberry and blueberry fruit, graced by hints of star anise, cardamom, cinnamon and allspice, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin is another standout vintage for this wine. Full-bodied, rich, velvety and long on the finish, at this point, it's maybe not quite as sure a thing to reach the century score as the beyond-superlative 2018, but I wouldn't rule it out. This is seriously great wine.

Drink 2021 - 2040

The 2017 has great ripeness, but not overripeness, and impressive purity. The Mourvèdre is strongly present, to the fore but well balanced with the other varieties. A little dark chocolate is perceptible but very much on the fruit at time of tasting. The elements sit somewhat apart at the moment, but all in good balance. Restrained and orderly, it has weight but not heaviness. Tannins are dense, a little gruff, textural. Good length, gently tapers on the finish. The alcohol is slightly warming on the finish but this has real depth and great potential. Certainly warmer and riper than the 2016.

Drink 2026-2042

Glass-staining ruby. Dark berry preserves, cherry cola, Moroccan spices and licorice on the intensely perfumed, mineral-accented nose. Palate-staining, sharply focused black/blue fruit, spicecake and candied violet flavors show superb energy for their depth. Picks up mocha and succulent herb nuances with air. It finishes extremely long and smoky, with resonating floral and spice notes and mounting tannins.

Drink 2026-2039

A great vintage for mourvedre in 2017, it represents 60% of this blend. Picked late, at the beginning of October, this has a very rich, dark-stone, leather, grilled-meat and slate nose with black fruit and wild herbs. The palate has a rich, smooth and long core of noble tannin with a wealth of dark cherries and dark plums. Long, suave tannins command the finish, where there’s a late kick of spice. Good potential, ripeness and concentration. As with the regular Beaucastel Châteauneuf, the intensity and plushness of tannin is a highlight here.

Drink 2025+