Hommage à Jacques Perrin - Châteauneuf du Pape 2016

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe9/26/2018

Deep crimson, from the outstanding vintage for the southern Rhône. Much more intense and focused than most Châteauneuf. Some very obvious sweetness. And then masses of tannin. Decidedly embryonic but with the sweet warmth of a Châteauneuf, albeit in bundled tightly into an iron corset. Drink 2022-2038

Wine Advocate

99

byJoe Czerwinskithe8/31/2018

Tasted three weeks after bottling, I couldn't quite bring myself to give the elusive three-digit score to this admittedly super wine. Perhaps once the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin has been in bottle a bit longer, as Mourvèdre seems to go into a bit of a funk when recently bottled. For now, it's merely profound, packing in savory, mossy nuances, hints of exotic dried spices like star anise and cardamom and layers of rich, plummy fruit that manage to be full-bodied and deliciously intense without being weighty or overwrought. Creamy, lush, intense and long, it's a tdf (tour de force) in CdP.
99+

This storied property continues to hit on all cylinders. Marc Perrin describes 2017 as "a 'Californian' kind of vintage," but also says, "It's amazing how balanced the wines are. Across the board, these are the best pair of vintages since 89/90. I love the balance … and the best word for 2016 is purity. I don't think we've done a better vintage since I'm part of it." Certainly, the wines are breathtaking at the upper levels, but the Perrin family continues to put effort into the entry-level wines as well, from the Coudelet de Beaucastel, which is always one of the top Côtes du Rhône wines, to the other wines reviewed under the Famille Perrin heading.

Jamessuckling.com

100

byJames Sucklingthe8/29/2018

A more savory, moody, strong expression. Deeply rich nose with minerals, flowers, wild herbs, tar, toasted spices and pepper. The dark berries have a smoky edge. Minerally edge, too, thanks to the 60 per cent mourvèdre. The palate has glossy, ripe and super-fine tannins in sheets. Deep-set, dark plums and blueberries in the finish. Noble tannins. Age-worthy.

Jeb DUNNUCK

100

byJeb Dunnuckthe8/28/2018

The flagship is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin, 75% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and the rest Counoise, brought up all in foudre. Blueberries, Peking duck, new saddle leather, black cherries, scorched earth, and an incredible sense of minerality all flow to a massive, concentrated, pure, perfectly balanced 2016 that is a prime example of the old saying, “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” It's a heavenly, perfect wine that's going to live for 30-50 years.

Wine Advocate

98-100

byJoe Czerwinskithe10/31/2017