Domaine des Bernardins - Côtes du Rhône Les Balmes rouge 2021
90/100
RVF
A red wine with fruity notes—rich and well-rounded—that will pair perfectly with everyday meals and barbecues with friends! The nose is expressive, revealing notes of wild berries. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with a rounded attack and velvety tannins on the finish.
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Eye
Purple dress
Nose
Rich and expressive, with notes of wild berries
Palate
Very rich, with a full-bodied attack and well-integrated tannins on the finish. A wine with depth.
Serve
At 18°C
Drink before
2028
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy it with Provençal cuisine, leg of lamb, stuffed vegetables, and cheese...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2024 guide): 3 stars (High-quality production, setting the standard in its sector)
About the estate:
The estate 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 magnificent landscape. It is unfortunate that the estate is one of the last defenders of Muscat, even though it produces a very high-quality wine here.
Decanter
Rated property Recommended
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2022 guide) 90/100 (2020 vintage)
Rated estate (2024 guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often blessed with fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the estate:
This estate embraces a traditional approach to winemaking, eschewing excessive technology and modernism. It’s no surprise that the small-berried Muscat grapes yield a nectar with an unparalleled texture and a richness of sweetness rivaling that of the greatest Sauternes. The Domaine des Bernardins, renowned for the quality of its magnificent Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, also produces a lovely red wine with a strong personality that delights us. Romain Hall has been making wine with his father since 2007. While red wine accounts for 30% of production, it has always been part of the lineup, with the oldest recorded vintage dating back to 1847. The estate vinifies using whole clusters of black grapes, to which 10% white grapes are added during blending. The latter plays an important role by adding richness, according to Romain. The wines are highly aromatic, and while they used to be a bit fiery in their youth, the latest vintages are far more refined, precise, and possess a masterful grace, always capable of beautiful aging over time. Above all, this estate produces stunning Muscats, which are a delight to drink even in their youth. But with age—ten, twenty years, and beyond—they acquire incredible complexity.
Wine Enthusiast
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Wine Enthusiast)
Jancis Robinson
Rated: Recommended
Customer rating
4.7/5
based on 3 reviews
Review by Mr. MASSIMILIANO G. Published on May 25, 2024
An elegant wine with aromas of juicy red fruits—strawberry and raspberry—yet beautifully refined. Excellent value for the price.
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Review and comment by Mr. GILLES D. Published on November 17, 2023
A traditional Grenache CDR that is both powerful and very fruity. The palate is dense and rounded, unreservedly showcasing intense flavors of red cherry, blackcurrant, blueberry, and spices, supported by refined tannins. The gentle extraction tempers the slightly alcoholic character and adds a welcome touch of freshness. It concludes with an equally pronounced, flattering aromatic finish, with a hint of warmth. A casual wine for friends with a strong personality—generous and indulgent—but one that still lacks a bit of depth and body. The Balmes family expertly showcased a saddle of lamb confit with garlic and rosemary, served with flageolet beans. Beef Hachis Parmentier au gratin, made with homemade Aria potato purée.
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Review by Mr. FRANCOIS R. Published on 07/27/2023
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