Château de Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005

A remarkably sweet impression on the nose, sweet red fruits, violets, cocoa, sugared almonds and tobacco. It’s open, complex and ready to go. Rounded and generous, mouthfilling fruit, the acidity is remarkably high considering the heat of the vintage, and doesn’t feel entirely harmonious. Long finish, the sweetness of the fruit matched by quite strident, brisk acidity. Very fine, ripe, smooth tannins – they’re almost imperceptible, but give grip on the finish. Very good indeed with great elegance, even if the alcohol is a little raised. Drinking window: 2020-2037. Part of Château de Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin complete vertical: 1989-2017. Score – 98. (Matt Walls, decanter.com, April 6, 2020)