Domaine des Bernardins - Muscat de Beaumes de Venise Hommage (50 cl)

The estate owes its name to the Bernardine monks, who were the first to cultivate these hillsides overlooking the southern part of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Owned by the Castaud family for five generations, the estate spans 23 hectares in a remarkable location, the majority of which are planted with white grape varieties. A historic landmark in Beaumes-de-Venise, it excels in expressing Muscat, both as a naturally sweet wine and as a still wine. Under the leadership of Romain Hall, the wines have reached a new milestone: the whites captivate with their precision, brilliance, and finesse, while the reds gain depth and definition with each passing year. Faithful to its heritage while looking resolutely toward the future, this estate remains one of the defining names of the southern Rhône Valley.

Rich and full-bodied, with aromas of raisins, dried apricots, and barley sugar that give way to a textured palate of caramelized apple, quince, and a hint of caramel. Very elegant!

With its splendid orange color and golden highlights, the Hommage solera exudes the nobility of age: fruit that has been candied by the years, without the slightest hint of excessive richness, which lends it complexity and a lingering finish.

Located in Beaumes-de-Venise, the Domaine des Bernardins produces magnificent naturally sweet wines—rich Muscats with a brandy component that is always beautifully integrated. With age, these wines, meant for cellaring, develop a truly breathtaking complexity. Romain Hall, who joined the estate in 2007, works closely with his father: he uses traditional winemaking methods, without destemming, and ages the wine in cement tanks. He has introduced a greater degree of softness in the extraction process, while co-fermenting Grenache—which makes up 90% of the Côtes-du-Rhône blend—with Syrah. As for his Beaumes-de-Venise, it stands out as one of the appellation’s finest examples.

It offers aromas of dried mango, fresh apricot, yellow peach, blood orange, and white pepper. Its refreshing acidity complements its round, full-bodied palate, which is rich with notes of navel orange and apricot. Negroni enthusiasts will particularly enjoy this wine, especially when paired with white chocolate, Comté, or mild blue cheeses.