Deep ruby color; strawberry, cranberry, plum, candied orange, spice, pepper, flowers on the nose and palate.

Dry; silky, smooth tannins; very moderate acidity. Ripe fruits give this blend of 60% grenache, 25% syrah, 6% marsanne, 5% mourvèdre, 4% grenache blanc a sensation of sweetness, but not caused by residual sugar. The addition of white grapes marsanne and grenache blanc adds aromatic complexity and freshness to the more traditional blend of red grapes. Darker fruit notes appear at the finish, making an interesting juxtaposition to the fresh, brighter red fruits that promenade on the initial attack. Medium body. The winery avoids overripe grapes and over-extraction. The juice spent 15 days in concrete vats to gently extract tannins for structure and color. The wine sees no wood aging. 14% ABV
Beaumes-de-Venise is a commune in the Vaucluse department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southeastern France, 25 miles northeast of Avignon. The word “beaumes” comes from the Provençal word “bauma,” meaning “cave” or “grotto.” The hills around Beaumes-de-Venise have many such caves inhabited in the Iron Age. The village—population less than 2,500—gives its name to a sweet wine, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venis. To differentiate from the sweet effort, their drier wine—this effort—was known as Côtes du Rhome Villages Beaumes-de-Venise, but now is identified as Beaumes de Venise AOC (note the dropping of hyphens).
The estate has been family owned for five generations. The property previously was owned by the Bernardins monks (also known as Bernardine monks, a part of the Cistercian Order), and there is an 1847 Muscat bottle in their wine library. Louis Castaud recognized traditional production had almost disappeared when the family acquired the estate. Castaud worked for 10 years to achieve Muscat de Beaumes de Vine appellation status. The website notes: “His family were able to make Domaine des Bernardins thrive by combining know-how and traditional values. Today, his great grandson Romain Hall, took over his parents Elizabeth et Andrew and his grand-mother Renée, he now makes this wine that’s part of the family history.”

Domaine des Bernardins Beaumes de Venise Red Rhone Wine 2022 is lively, engaging, and delivers some interesting and different surprises. Two splashes of white grapes—marsanne and grenache blanc—provide complexity and freshness. The blend of five grapes, led by grenache, begins the initial attack with youthful freshness of red fruits, but a Picardy third of dark fruits, lead by plum and black currant, spice up the finish. Impressive, tasty wine, especially for the price.
Pairing—red meat is classic; grilled or roasted beef, braised short ribs, roasted lamb with herbs, pepper-crustd steaks, herb-rubbed roasts. Wild game and fowl—venison, wild boar, wild turkey, game birds—pigeon, quail; duck with fruit-based sauces. Delicate enough to work with white meats—pork, chicken. Not recommended for intense flavors, barbecue. Cheese—brie, camembert, Saint-Marcellin; sheep’s milk cheese, ossau-iraty, manchego; aged goat cheeses, Crottin de Chavignol; comté, mature cheddar, smoked gouda. $25-30
Domaine des Bernardins website
