2012 Cotes du Rhone Reserve

Leading off the 2012s, the Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône (formerly the Perrin Reserve) is a peppery, dark fruit and mineral-laced effort that has medium-bodied richness, good freshness and a solid 3-4 years of drinkability.

20% Syrah. Dark crimson. Smells as though there is some ripe but black peppery Syrah in here. Medium weight and much smoother and fruitier than the average Côtes du Rhone Rouge. Still quite chewy on the end. (JR)

Looking at the reds and also a solid value that delivers ample fruit and texture, the 2012 Famille Perrin Cotes Du Rhone Reserve is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, with the Grenache coming from plots close to the estate and the Syrah from a cooler terroir in Vinsobres. Really showing the Syrah component, with meaty black fruits, chalky minerality, tobacco and herbs, this medium-bodied, rich and textured 2012 has juicy acidity and solid purity of fruit. Drink it over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now-2017. Covering a full 175 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape, with significant holdings throughout the Southern Rhone (mostly vinified at and released under their Famille Perrin brand), Chateau De Beaucastel is a benchmark estate that excels at all price points. Looking at the wines reviewed here, 2011 is surprisingly strong (especially for the Chateauneufs) and with their perfumed aromatics and supple textures, they show a lot of similarities to the 2009s. The 2012s as a whole show more freshness and purity, with good concentration, and should require more bottle age to come around. Both vintages are worth seeking out. Looking at the 2011s across the board, all of which were in bottle, it appears to be a strong vintage here. While the vintage suffered due to uneven ripening in the Grenache, it was actually a solid vintage for Mourvedre and this shows, particularly in the Chateauneufs. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802