Baby Beaucastel, is BACK baby – 92 POINTS and STILL 18 BUCKS!!

Maybe our best red value of the year! Don’t call it a baby because it’s anything but. Flat out sexy, gorgeous fruit with that ripe modern edge we crave and priced to drink on a Tuesday night.

“One of the old guards of the region, Beaucastel is nevertheless one of the most progressive and forward-thinking estates out there. They’ve broken the lineup into their Château de Beaucastel releases for the estate wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and several additional cuvées released under their Famille Perrin label… their 2017s are brilliant, forward, and charming.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Big points too: 92-94, if you’re on the Châteauneuf bandwagon, let this thought sink in for a minute – all the way back to 1974, OVER 50 Beaucastel wines have garnered 95-100 scores from Wine Advocate, including a handful of 100 pointers. In comparison to their heavy hitters that go for just about 20 times what you’re paying for this little gem here today, this truly is cut of the same cloth, made under the same obsessive attention to detail and respect for origin.

Back to this sub-$20 gem, the only “catch” with it, if you can even call it so, is it being a Vinsobres, not a Châteauneuf. Look the other way and you can’t tell from the quality, intensity, and balance you get to expect from a Famille Perrin, which are all there with this classic single-vineyard Southern Rhône red blend frown on the northernmost point of the appellation.

From the first look, even the color is a classy deep burgundy. The nose offers the playful red berries of Grenache spiced by the peppery and savory side of Syrah. The palate echoes that harmony with vibrant freshness engulfed in hedonistic, borderline jammy dried cherries, exotic spices, and floral accents. The finish resonates with a balance only found in the top wines of the region, seamless and complex. This blend is way above its league, making it the perfect ‘elevator’ to raise a burger party beyond expectations.

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous aptly notes that “The Perrin family, owners of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s famed Château de Beaucastel, have invested outside of Châteauneuf in a big way in recent years. Their commitment is already delivering huge dividends for Rhône wine lovers.”

Rhône lover Operatives, you hear that? Collect your dividends!

92 Points – Wine Spectator

“A bright and fresh style, with a mix of raspberry, cherry and red currant coulis flavors, underscored by light bramble and mineral accents. Shows good juicy energy through the finish, revealing latent depth. Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2020 through 2025.”

92-94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“Based on 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache, the 2017 Vinsobres Les Cornuds sports a deep ruby color as well as a gorgeous nose of cassis, blackberries, ground pepper and violets. The Syrah is dominating at the moment, and it hits the palate with beautiful purity of fruit, ripe tannin, and a great finish. It’s one seriously good barrel sample. Drink 2019-2025.”