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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Its magnificent, deep pink color is unforgettable, as is its extremely nuanced, seductive, and complex nose. Notes of candied citrus, dried flowers, camphor, and delicate spices. On the palate, this extraordinary aromatic palette continues and unfolds with incredible complexity and remarkable length and persistence. It is a unique wine that is definitely worth discovering.

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

About the wine:

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!

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

About the wine:

The Hommage cuvée exudes a noble rancio aroma with notes of orange peel and even gingerbread. A great wine to be sipped slowly to savor the complexity of fruit that has been refined by time.

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

About the wine:

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.

Jancis Robinson