2010 Perrin & Fils - Cotes du Rhone Reserve
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Tasting notes
The Perrin et Fils 2011 Cotes du Rhone Reserve red is not as impressive as the 2010 or 2009 were, because the vintage is not as strong, but the wine (a blend of 50% Grenache from their estate Grand Prebois, adjacent to Beaucastel, and the rest Syrah and Carignan and Cinsault) displays a deep ruby color, a slightly more narrow structure than usual, and some leanness, but still good berry fruit, crushed rock and licorice. It should drink nicely for several years. As I said last year, the Perrin family is a large one indeed, with brothers Jean-Pierre and Francois sitting at the top of the hierarchy and their four sons, Mathieu, Pierre, Thomas and Marc increasingly taking charge of their negociant business and their extensive estates throughout Southern Rhone. Now controlling over 1200 acres, as well as having a network of contracts, this operation is the equivalent of a major Southern Rhone train operating at high speed. Moreover, they are doing some incredible work in all price ranges. Other 2011s that the Perrin boys have produced include the following wines, which were very good across the board, especially for 2011s. In particular, readers need to take a hard look at their estate in Vinsobres, which is making the finest wines of that appellation, and more recently, what they are doing in Gigondas with the estate they purchased there, Clos des Tourelles. These are special wines. There are now three cuvees of Gigondas from the Perrins - the Gigondas La Gille, the Gigondas Vieilles Vignes and the Gigondas Clos des Tourelles. All three merit serious attention. Tasting the 2010s, which were all set to go into bottle right after my visit, certainly shows that this vintage is impressive, although I'm not sure that Marc and Pierre Perrin haven't done as good a job with their selections in 2011. Three cuvees of Gigondas look to all have outstanding potential and will probably be in bottle by the time this report is published. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
(made from roughly two-thirds grenache and equal parts mourvedre and syrah): Deep ruby. Cherry and dark berries on the pungent nose. Offers gently sweet blackberry and cherry flavors and picks up slight bitterness with air. Finishes on a smoky note, with good energy and a touch of bitter cherry.
Another excellent vintage for this cuvee, which always seems to offer plenty of southern Rhône character for not much money, the 2010 Perrin & Fils Côtes du Rhône Reserve, a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvédre that’s aged primarily in tank, possesses a perfumed, sweet bouquet of red cherries, fresh flowers, garrigue, and wet stone like minerality. Medium-bodied, lightly textured, and balanced, with juicy acidity that will make it versatile on the dinner table, this downright gulpable, delicious Côtes du Rhône should be enjoyed over the coming 2-3 years.
Tank sample. 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah. Lively crimson. Very healthy colour. Strangely, smells the most open and friendly. Juicy and presumably it’s the high-altitude Vinsobres Syrah that leavens it a bit. Actually quite forward. (JR)