Famille Perrin ‘Les Crus’, Vacqueyras 'Les Christins' 2018

PRODUCER

Famille Perrin is one of the most recognisable names in the Southern Rhône. The fifth and sixth generations of the family now manage the extensive vineyard holdings and grower partnerships which stretch across the region, from Vinsobres to the Ventoux. The Famille Perrin 'Les Crus' range highlights the diversity of certain Southern Rhône Crus, chosen for their distinctive soils and characters.

VINEYARDS

The Vacqueyras ‘Les Christins’ is sourced from eight hectares of old vines, with an average age of 50 years, managed by the Château de Beaucastel team. The vines are situated to the south of the Dentelles de Montmirail where the soil is rich in clay and sand with stony terraces. This mix lends this Grenache-dominant wine a powerful intensity lifted by a supple, expressive red fruit character.

VINTAGE

The 2018 vintage was characterised by exceptional weather conditions. Flowering took place in April, with a historically abundant grape output. Rainfall at the end of spring increased disease pressure in the vineyards, but the good weather then settled down until harvest, which took place under idyllic conditions.

VINIFICATION

The grapes were harvested by hand. On arrival at cellar, the grapes were sorted, crushed and placed in vats. Fermentation was quite long and manual punching down aided extraction. After malolactic fermentation and blending, the wine was predominantly aged in oak foudres with 20% aged in used oak barrels for a year before bottling.

TASTING NOTES

This wine is a beautiful deep purple colour. The nose is powerful, with notes of bramble fruit and black pepper. On the palate, the wine is refined and elegant with sleek tannins and racy acidity giving great structure to the wine.