Rhône Royalty in Magnum
2001 & 2012 Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Hommage á Jacques Perrin Magnums
Beaucastel's Hommage is a name that looms large for those obsessed with the Southern Rhône, and great wine in general.
Few, if any, producers in the region possess such a storied and long tradition of excellence as Beaucastel. Hommage á Jacques Perrin is the jewel in the crown.
It probably goes without saying that Hommage is produced in tiny quantities.
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The Mourvèdre-dominated Hommage is legendary for its aging capabilities. Catching Hommage in perfect maturity is one of the most moving, unforgettable and simply deeply impressive experiences in wine.
The 2012 Hommage has all the markings of an absolutely epic edition of this wine. Jeb Dunnuck proclaiming that it "will most likely be the wine of the vintage" begins to make this clear. He goes on to highlight its "stunning purity and massive structure." Marc Perrin of Beaucastel compares the 2012 to the 1989, a wine that Robert Parker called "unquestionably one of the greatest red wines I have ever tasted."
We've been really impressed with what we've tasted from the 2012 vintage. It offers up something close to a dream brew in terms of ripeness, acidity and tannic grip. Depth, substance and verve - it's all there in 2012.
Much like 2012, 2001 is an incredibly complete vintage. The balance, the structure and the ridiculous complexity has made the 2001 Hommage a legend.
For me, the 2001 has always stood out as an archetypal vintage of the Hommage's greatness. There's all the density, the deep gripping structure and kaleidoscopic presentation of spices, game, earth and dark fruits. If you're looking for an example of why Hommage is considered one of the world's great wines, the 2001 gives an incredibly persuasive answer.
As I mentioned earlier, mags of Hommage are really, really rare. Please give us your ideal order and we'll do our best.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Robert Parker: "The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin is a blend of 60% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 10% Counoise, and 10% Syrah. Full-bodied, excruciatingly backward, and nearly impenetrable, it boasts an inky/blue/purple color in addition to a promising nose of new saddle leather, melted asphalt, camphor, blackberries, smoky, roasted herbs, and Asian spices. A huge lashing of tannin as well as a formidable structure result in the antithesis of its more flattering, forward, and voluptuous sibling, the classic Beaucastel. Readers lucky enough to come across this cuvee should plan on waiting at least a decade before it begins to approach adolescence."
Robert Parker: "The wine of the vintage is the Perrin’s 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin, and it will most likely merit a perfect rating in another couple of years. Full-bodied, massive and layered on the palate, with awesome purity and freshness, it delivers incredible aromatics of beef blood, truffle, graphite, iron and black and blue fruits. Given all of the fruit and texture, you almost have to hunt for the structure here, but trust me, it’s there. The tasting at Beaucastel took place a 9 a.m., and even then, this is one wine I found impossible to spit. It’s a tour de force that will have 3-4 decades of life."