Domaine des Bernardins - Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2023 (Vin Doux Naturel)

Bettane & Desseauve

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 stunning 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:

Aromas of caramel and apricot jam. A lighter vintage for this cuvée, but very fresh and easy to drink, and by far the best Muscat of the vintage. 110 g/L of residual sugar. In the process of converting to organic farming.

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

About the wine:

With an orange hue, the nose reveals notes of apricot and vine peach, with hints of kumquat and citrus zest, underscored by a touch of menthol. The palate is full-bodied, with a beautifully smooth and rich texture, yet never heavy. A noble wine.

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

Jancis Robinson