2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage Jacques Perrin

A classic blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and the balance 10% each of Counoise and Syrah, the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin has always reminded me of the 2010, yet with a touch more austerity and firmness in its tannins. Still deep plum-colored, with a beautiful bouquet of smoked meats, beef blood, ground pepper, and assorted darker, gamey fruits, this powerhouse is full-bodied, has building tannins, a massive core of fruit, and a structured, lengthy finish. It’s just now starting to come around but will be incredibly long-lived.

A classic example of the vintage, the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage À Jacques Perrin is made from 60% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, and the rest Counoise and Syrah. Inky colored, it offers an iron, beef-blood and gamey aromatic profile to go with gorgeous purity and focus on the palate. Reminding me of the 2010, yet even more firm and focused, this full-bodied effort will need another 7-8 years to start to show maturity, and will have upward of 40-50 years of overall longevity.

(about two-thirds mourvedre) Opaque purple. An explosive, room-filling bouquet of ripe raspberry, blackcurrant and boysenberry scents, along with sexy floral, herb and cured meat nuances. Incredibly silky, with medium-weight red and dark berry preserve and cured tobacco flavors and superb mineral lift. Velvety tannins melt into the deep, dark fruit, which carries endlessly through the finish. A hypnotic, supremely compelling wine, with the depth and balance to age for years and years. If you've got the means, get some.