M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc

AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France

"La Bernardine" is the name of the house, sitting in the middle of the vineyards, which was bought by Michel’s grandfather.

Tasting Notes

Golden, yellow and brilliant in color with notes of vine blossom and lily in the nose. The palate well-balance and fresh with flavors of candied citrus.

Grilled and roasted white meats, as well as monkfish and scallops. Also, an excellent pairing with brandade or soft cheese.

2022 was a sunny vintage. We had to “keep calm and carry on” throughout this season of drought and heat, constantly adapting. Responding fast to curb the vegetation when the welcome rains arrived and remaining patient to allow the grapes to reach full maturity. All this made 2022 an astonishing vintage that, as it turned out, was more luminous than sunny.

The harvesting date is determined by the acidity level sought in the wine. The natural acidity of the must ensures a good stability of the wine. Exclusively hand-harvested grapes which maintains the integrity of the grape.

8 to12 months in both French oak demi-muids (600l barrels) and stainless-steel tanks. The wines are matured in stainless-steel tanks on its fine lees. This type of ageing process gives the wine structure and complexity. Early bottling is carried out to ensure the freshness of the wine is preserved.

Old quaternary terraces with the surface covered by large, round pebbles from the Alps. The soil is also composed of Miocenian safres situated on Villafrancian terraces with a clay matrix.

Varietals: Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Clairette, Roussanne
Alcohol by Volume: 14.5%
Certifications: Organic

"La Bernardine" is the name of the house, sitting in the middle of the vineyards, which was bought by Michel’s grandfather.

Tasting Notes

Golden, yellow and brilliant in color with notes of vine blossom and lily in the nose.  The palate well-balance and fresh with flavors of candied citrus.

Grilled and roasted white meats, as well as monkfish and scallops. Also, an excellent pairing with brandade or Camembert cheese.

Grapes are exclusively hand-harvested to maintain the integrity of the grape. After pressing and settling, vinification is carried out in thermo-regulated stainless still tanks. Ageing for 8 to12 months. This takes place both in French oak demi-muids (600l barrels) and stainless steel tanks. The wines are matured in stainless steel tanks on its fine lees. This type of ageing process gives the wine structure and complexity. Early bottling is carried out to ensure the freshness of the wine is preserved.

Old quaternary terraces with the surface covered by large, round pebbles from the Alps. The soil is also composed of Miocenian safres situated on Villafrancian terraces with a clay matrix.

Varietals: Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Clairette, Roussanne
Alcohol by Volume: 14%

"La Bernardine" is the name of the house, sitting in the middle of the vineyards, which was bought by Michel’s grandfather.

Tasting Notes

Golden, yellow and brilliant in color with notes of vine blossom and lily in the nose.  The palate well-balance and fresh with flavors of candied citrus.

Grilled and roasted white meats, as well as monkfish and scallops. Also, an excellent pairing with brandade or Camembert cheese.

Grapes are exclusively hand-harvested to maintain the integrity of the grape. After pressing and settling, vinification is carried out in thermo-regulated stainless still tanks.  Ageing for 8 to12 months. This takes place both in French oak demi-muids (600l barrels) and stainless steel tanks. The wines are matured in stainless steel tanks on its fine lees. This type of ageing process gives the wine structure and complexity. Early bottling is carried out to ensure the freshness of the wine is preserved.

Old quaternary terraces with the surface covered by large, round pebbles from the Alps. The soil is also composed of Miocenian safres situated on Villafrancian terraces with a clay matrix.

Alcohol by Volume: 14%

"La Bernardine" is the name of the house, sitting in the middle of the vineyards, which was bought by Michel’s grandfather.

Tasting Notes

Golden, yellow and brilliant in color with notes of vine blossom and lily in the nose.  The palate well-balance and fresh with flavors of candied citrus.

Grilled and roasted white meats, as well as monkfish and scallops. Also, an excellent pairing with brandade or Camembert cheese.

Grapes are exclusively hand-harvested to maintain the integrity of the grape. After pressing and settling, vinification is carried out in thermo-regulated stainless still tanks.  Ageing for 8 to12 months. This takes place both in French oak demi-muids (600l barrels) and stainless steel tanks. The wines are matured in stainless steel tanks on its fine lees. This type of ageing process gives the wine structure and complexity. Early bottling is carried out to ensure the freshness of the wine is preserved.

Old quaternary terraces with the surface covered by large, round pebbles from the Alps. The soil is also composed of Miocenian safres situated on Villafrancian terraces with a clay matrix.

Alcohol by Volume: 14.5%

  • 20240516

    89-91

    points

    Robert Parker Wine Advocate, May 2024

    "The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape la Bernardine Blanc—tasted as a tank sample in the summer of 2023—boasts attractive aromas of clover honey, fresh limes, white peaches and crushed stone. Only medium to full-bodied, I'd prefer to see a bit more richness in this wine, but it's clean, crisp and nicely balanced. This vintage is about 80% Clairette from Croix de Bois and 20% Grenache Blanc from the other (western) side of the appellation, all fermented and matured in demi-muids, 15% new."

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  • 20240416

    94

    points

    James Suckling, April 2024

    "“Full, expressive nose of candied citrus, dried pear and vanilla that pulls you into this very structured, full-bodied white Chateauneuf, which has energetic acidity for this hot and dry vintage. The positive, fine tannins really help to drive this cuvee with clairette from the extreme east of the appellation and grenache blanc from the extreme west. This was vinified in a mix of demi-muid and foudre oak casks. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”"

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  • 2023-10-30

    95

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

    "Mostly Clairette (there's 20% Grenache Blanc), the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Bernardine Blanc has a gorgeous array of ripe pears, honeyed tangerines, white flowers, and a wonderful sense of stony minerality. This all carries to a medium to full-bodied, richly textured, and flawlessly balanced white with integrated acidity and outstanding length."

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  • 2022-11-11

    93

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, November 2022

    "The 2021 Chateauneuf Du Pape La Bernardine Blanc showed brilliantly, with a rocking nose of ripe white peach, charcoal, flowers, and spice that gives way to a richer, medium to full-bodied white with bright acidity and a great finish. It's another brilliant white in the vintage."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2022 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – 91 points, Wine Advocate – Shelftalker

2022 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – 91 points, Wine Advocate – Sell Sheet

2021 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – 93 points, Jeb Dunnuck – Sell Sheet

2022 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – Vintage Note

2021 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – Vintage Note

M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – Beauty – Portrait

2019 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – Vintage Note

2020 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – Vintage Note

M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – Bottle

M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc – Label