Domaine Brusset - Rasteau La Bastide 2023

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Laurent, André’s grandson and now the estate’s manager, produces a wide range of wines from nearly 70 plots, including terraced vineyards in the spectacular Dentelles de Montmirail. This fragmentation proves to be an advantage during the blending process. It’s worth noting that the 2017 vintage was somewhat challenging.

Decanter

About the wine:

Violet and blackberry notes—very ripe, juicy, and alluring. Good structure, pure fruit, and a long finish. Very well-balanced, very well-crafted. Destemmed grapes. Currently in the process of converting to organic farming.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Seventy-eight south-facing terraces make up this 70-hectare vineyard located at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Founded in 1947 by André Brusset, then managed by his son Daniel, it is now run by his grandson Laurent. The estate produces wines across 5 AOCs and offers a total of 14 different cuvées. A sure bet for Gigondas and Cairanne.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

Laurent Brusset’s estate now spans 70 hectares, based in the village of Cairanne but extending to the Ventoux and into the Dentelles hills above Gigondas. Founded by his grandfather in 1947, the winemaking here is modern yet balanced, with a mix of tanks, demi-muids, and barrels used, depending on the cuvée. Similarly, some wines are made entirely from destemmed grapes or entirely from whole clusters, with a blend used for others. "When you have high ripeness," explained Brusset, "it’s better to keep the stems." In entry-level wines, Brusset aims for drinkability, but in top-tier cuvées, he seeks complexity and aging potential. "2016 is a very fine vintage," said Brusset. "It has good balance and high acidity." In 2017, there is about half a degree more alcohol and lower acidity. His yields in Cairanne averaged just 20 hectoliters per hectare, the lowest he has ever seen. He therefore adjusted his extraction accordingly, doing no punch-downs and only very gentle pumping over, to avoid extracting harsh tannins.

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

About the estate:

A fan of full-bodied wines, he has opted for a more refined style. Based in Cairanne, the Brusset estate cultivates 70 hectares of vineyards across five appellations. For many years, Laurent Brusset produced full-bodied wines, seeking density through aggressive extraction during winemaking. Today, he works more with infusion to produce more refined wines. His transition to organic farming over the past two years has required considerable labor on the slopes he cultivates, which are difficult to mechanize. But for him, the crucial factor remains the optimal ripeness of the grapes at harvest. It is therefore no surprise that we were captivated by his beautiful wines, bursting with generous fruit.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

A blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre grown on clay soils, this wine opens with a subtle yet captivating nose of red cherry, sweet licorice, and mocha. On the palate, it is spicy and fruity, with vibrant acidity that cuts through a firm, stony minerality, adding both depth and structure. With aeration, a laser-like concentration emerges, revealing the wine’s true clarity. A finishing touch of mocha rounds out the experience. Enjoy now or cell it until 2030.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

An appealing, earthy nose with notes of graphite and crushed strawberries. The palate is elegant and compact, with these mineral notes of graphite complementing the core of black cherry. The finish is round and structured.

James Suckling