Our Rating
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Southern Rhône
GSM
Although the maison is headquartered in Hermitage, La Bernardine hails from the Southern Rhône’s flagship Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The blend spotlights Grenache’s generous fruit and silky tannin while leveraging Syrah/Mourvèdre for color, spice, and structure. The house emphasizes hand-harvesting, careful sorting, and traditional methods aligned to the appellation’s identity. (chapoutier.com)
Founded in 1808, M. Chapoutier is a benchmark Rhône producer known for its terroir focus and early adoption of biodynamics in 1991 under Michel Chapoutier. That philosophy—codified across the company’s communications—guides vineyard work and informs élevage choices aimed at clarity rather than oak stamp. La Bernardine sits among the estate’s “terroir wines,” delivering CdP typicity without new-oak showiness. (chapoutier.com)
The wine draws on Quaternary terraces strewn with large rounded pebbles (galets roulés) over sands and clays, a hallmark of CdP that stores daytime heat and encourages full ripening. The growers’ syndicate highlights the AOC’s five major terroir types and its 13+ permitted varieties; La Bernardine leans on Grenache while keeping the supporting cast in play. These conditions yield ripe fruit framed by savory spice and the region’s signature garrigue accents. (AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Vinification is traditional in closed concrete tanks, with a ≈3-week warm maceration for full color/tannin extraction. Élevage continues 15 months in concrete, promoting gentle oxygenation while preserving fruit purity and freshness—an approach that keeps oak flavors out of the foreground. This profile is consistent across recent vintages of the cuvée. (chapoutier.com)
2021 in CdP was marked by frost impacts and reduced yields, but careful sites delivered elegant, fresher profiles, especially at traditional estates. Independent reports describe the Southern Rhône’s 2021s as lighter than the hot vintages that preceded them, with the best CdPs offering clarity and lift. This aligns with La Bernardine’s measured, concrete-raised style in the vintage. (The Wine Cellar Insider, Decanter)
Appearance. Clear and ruby with medium depth, presenting a lively rim and good clarity. The hue signals a poised style in a cooler year.
Aromas. Medium-plus intensity of black cherry, black currant, blueberry, cedar, cocoa, and plum, with olive and garrigue notes emerging with air. Alcohol reads medium-plus yet remains in check.
Palate. Dry and medium-to-full-bodied with polished tannins and medium acidity. Black cherry and cassis lead, joined by blackberry/blueberry, licorice and peppery spice, and a subtle cedar/cocoa shading from élevage.
Finish. Long, savory, and clean, tapering on dark-fruit and spice echoes. The balance is precise and food-versatile.
Measured rather than muscular, La Bernardine 2021 rides Grenache’s generous fruit on a cool, stony backbone and leaves a neat, savory trail of spice. It’s a CdP that favors poise over power—quietly compelling today and well-suited to evolve in the short to medium term.
France
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Southern Rhône
GSM
14
Michel Chapoutier
90 Minutes
2028 - 2035
M. Chapoutier
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