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Perrin’s Tour de Rhone by fork not bike
Mathieu Perrin of Perrin & Fils
The parade of wine superstars never stops. This week Matthieu Perrin of the new generation of Perrins took B-21 fanciers at Currents restaurant in Tarpon Springs on a grand three-course, three flight tour of the southern Rhone. It’s the home country of Perrin & Fils and the grand Beaucastel.
For starters, the group wheeled their way through the simple Cotes of 2007, CdR ($9.99) then Cotes du Rhone Villages ($10.49), and the Perrin’s Nature ($10.49) a GSM which is certified organic as well as the family’s own biodynamic principles. Best food match of the appetizers was just as earthy – bruschetta with mushrooms, thyme and goat cheese.
2007 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape ($79.99)
More exciting was the roast pork-fueled middle stage through the Perrin’s favorite villages, Vacqueyras and Gigondas (mine too) and the far northerly commune of Vinsobres. Heckuva name for a place that is #89 on the Top 100. It is a luscious blend of Syrah and Grenache, but I think the licorice and pepper of that latter show best. Maybe the name scares people off, it’s still a bargain at $19.99.
The climax was Chateau Beaucastel CDP itself from the last two fabulous vintages (2006 and 2007). Beaucastel follows the old 13-grape step because it works, making a well-structured wine that is richly complex in flavors. More so in 2006, a voluptuously thick, dense wine, and at Currents a taste of the even more sumptuous 2007; best southern Rhone year in a decade.
4 Comments to Perrin’s Tour de Rhone by fork not bike
I heard it was a great dinner. The wines are all very good, I had the chance to try many of them during the seminar we had at the Grand Holiday Tasting. Haven’t tried the 07 Beaucastel yet, but being a 2007 Rhone I’m sure it was awesome.
Well i was there. 90 minute drive over to Tarpon. That Mat was as cute as he could be and just as sweet. I told Matty i was drinking Beaucastel before he was born…..he told me he has heard people tell his father the same thing. Five generations. This gal had a great time. That 2006 Beau was just what i needed. The restaurant was solid and Rhett did a fine job…
Agreed. And some of the uninformed wonder why make that drive? Ninety minutes is a pretty cheap trip to Chateauneuf and a smaller carbon footprint. You’re right about the generations too. Amazing to see/taste a family that sticks with it and does a great job vintage after vintage, one of the extra pleasures of wine.
Great to see you Viola!
The wines were sensation.
The first vintage of Beaucastel I bought for B-21 was the 1978 and certainly as good as the 2007.
I was promised a glass or two next visit there. Come along won’t you?
December 6, 2009