Domaine des Bernardins - Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2024 (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 the estate for five generations; the vineyards (23 hectares, mostly white grape varieties) are planted on the southern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, set amid a magnificent landscape. It is unfortunate that the estate is one of the last remaining producers of Muscat, given that it is a product of very high quality here.

Decanter

About the wine:

Pale peach color. Very silky and full-bodied, rich and luxurious on the palate. A lively acidity cuts through the aromas of orange and peach. The finish is long and ends on a subtle mineral note. A wonderful palate—smooth and well-balanced. Not overly aromatic. Satisfying, with an inner freshness and depth. Aged in stainless steel tanks. 110 g/l of residual sugar.

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

About the wine:

This Muscat is an absolute delight, with a masterful balance of fruit and alcohol. A sure bet.

About the estate:

This estate embraces a traditional approach to winemaking, without excessive technology or modernism. It’s no surprise that the small-berried Muscat grapes yield a nectar with an unparalleled texture and a sugar content 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 estate’s portfolio, with the oldest recorded vintage dating back to 1847. The estate vinifies whole clusters of red grapes, to which 10% white grapes are added during blending. According to Romain, the white grapes play an important role by adding body. The wines are highly aromatic, and while they used to be a bit fiery in their youth, the most recent vintages are much more refined, precise, and possess a masterful grace, always capable of aging beautifully over time. Above all, this estate produces stunning Muscats that are a delight to drink even when young. But with age—ten, twenty years, or more—they develop incredible complexity.

Wine Enthusiast

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

Such intensity on the palate. Ripe fruit and real concentration as well. Floral, alluring, and so rich. The sugar is well integrated.