Domaine des Bernardins - Beaumes-de-Venise 2024 (sec)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The property owes its name to the Bernardine monks who once owned it. The Castaud family has been running it for five generations. The vineyards (23 hectares, mostly white grape varieties) are planted on the southern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, in a stunning landscape. It is unfortunate that the estate is one of the last defenders of Muscat, as it is a very high-quality product here.

Decanter

About wine:

It has a pleasant nose combining herbal aromas, particularly bay leaf and oregano, with notes of pine needles and juicy Damascus plum. It is full-bodied on the palate without being heavy, lively and fresh. Very pleasant to drink, fresh and complex, with remarkable length. Perfectly balanced, it comes highly recommended. One of their best vintages to date and one of the most interesting wines in the Rhône Valley. Grown on sandy soils, it is fermented and aged in concrete vats without destemming.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

This estate embraces a traditional approach to winemaking, without excessive technology or modernism. It's no surprise that the small-grain Muscat grapes produce a nectar with an unparalleled texture and a richness equivalent to that of the greatest Sauternes wines. The Domaine des Bernardins, renowned for the quality of its magnificent Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise wines, also produces a very attractive red wine with a strong personality that we find enchanting. Romain Hall has been making wine with his father since 2007. Although red wine accounts for 30% of production, it has always been present, with the oldest vintage on record dating back to 1847. The estate makes wine from black grapes, in whole bunches, to which 10% white grapes are added during blending. The latter plays an important role in adding body, according to Romain. The wines are very aromatic, and while they have long been a little fiery in their youth, the latest vintages are much more restrained, precise, and masterfully graceful, always capable of aging beautifully over time. Above all, this estate produces stunning Muscats, which can be enjoyed in their youth. But with age, ten, twenty years or more, they acquire incredible complexity.

Wine Enthusiast

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

An astonishing nose, very expressive, with aromas of red and black fruits, pepper, cloves, and herbaceous notes. The palate is ripe and shows good fruit concentration, with herbaceous notes, pepper, cloves, and meat. Powerful and sophisticated at the same time. A refreshing note of eucalyptus on the finish brings freshness. Excellent.