"Softened plum and wild berry notes share the stage with herbs and savory power. Brown bread, toasted anise and juniper merge in on the harmonious palate, with all of the elements firing in sync. The beautiful texture -- mostly glossy, with a hint of chewy meatiness -- and chalk-fine tannins hold a gentle grip as grilled sandalwood smoke closes out. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. 600 cases imported."

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"Kirsch, black cherries, spicy garrigue, and sappy flower-like aromatics all shine in the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Bernardine, based on 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 5% Mourvèdre. I love its vibrancy, purity, and complexity. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, and seamless on the palate, it pushes on the ripeness scale yet holds it together with velvety tannins, ample mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. Drink bottles over the coming 8-10 years. Drink 2025-2034."

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"A succulent, well-balanced and fine-tuned red with notes of red berries, wild herbs, meat and some baking spices as well. It’s medium- to full-bodied with fine, ripe tannins. Well-driven and structured but in control, with an long, intense and flavorful finish. Drink from 2027"

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"The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape la Bernardine, a blend of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah in unknown proportions, offers up aromas of cardamom, garrigue, spices and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and generously extracted, with plenty of youthfully chewy tannins, it's framed by a muscular, rather dense palate with a firm, slightly dry finish."

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"Shows some weight for the cooler vintage, with toasted aniseed and white pepper overlaying a solid core of red fruit. Notes of leather and tobacco leaf have moved in, with a hint of pleasing chewiness on the finish, which is salty and graphite-rich. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases imported."

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"Composed of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, Chapoutier's blended 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape la Bernardine comes together later than the estate bottlings, so it was still in tank during my summer visit. Scents of dusty earth and fresh-turned loam are complemented by hints of ripe cherries and black olives. It's medium to full-bodied in the mouth, showing decent concentration and silky tannins, with hints of raspberries and dried spices on the soft, easy-drinking finish.”"

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"A textural, refined and velvety Chateauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of forest berries, wet stones, roasted meat, wild herbs and some bark. It’s medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. There is a refined texture here, silky at the center, with a delicate core of dark cherries challenged by an intense array of spices that provide verve and energy. Lively and focused finish with length. Try after 2026."

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"Moving to the Chteauneufs, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Bernardine (75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre) has a supple, elegant, medium-bodied style as well as attractive notes of both red and blue fruits, pepper, and Provençal garrigue. With supple tannins, a layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length, it's clearly a rock-solid bottle of wine that will drink nicely right out of the gate."

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"This sultry red offers high-toned and very pure flavors of fresh raspberry, linzer torte and cherry licorice, gilded with grilled herbs, bacon and smoked apple wood. Edged in iron, the tannins are suave but still keep their shape. Orange peel acidity also brings nice lift to the ripe profile. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2035. 500 cases imported."

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"A layered and restrained Chateauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of red berries, spiced cherries, dried thyme and baking spices. Medium-bodied with chalky tannins. Textured and slightly chewy with plenty of berry and chocolate character towards the compact finish. Better after 2025."

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"The entry level release from Chapoutier, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Bernardine (80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre) shows the supple, charming, pretty style of the vintage and has medium-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe cherries, framboise, and peppery herbs. This rounded, forward, front end-loaded beauty is perfect for drinking over the coming 7-8 years or more."

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"The 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape la Bernardine—Chapoutier's négociant wine from this appellation—is an assemblage of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, from a mix of soil types. Aged predominantly in concrete, with a small amount in demi-muids of 20 hectoliters, there's a hint of almond on the nose, alongside ripe cherries. Smooth and silky, this full-bodied wine is expansive and supple on the palate, a solid effort."

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"A bold and opulent profile of black and blue fruits, cherries, plum, flint and garrigue sits with dormant energy, wanting to explode in the glass. Its drying tannins are balanced by ample refreshing acidity, cellar through 2030+ before revisiting should result in remarkable integration and greater complexity. — Anna-Christina Cabrales"

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"Very meaty and savory with discreet red-fruit aromas, this is quite a traditional style of Chateauneuf with some spice. The well-crafted, gentle tannins support the full body without stepping into the foreground, and that makes this very easy to enjoy right now. Mellow finish. Drink or hold."

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"Solidly built, with a well-formed core of plum, blackberry and black cherry compote flavors supported by warm earth, anise, plum pit and black tea. The focused finish lets the fruit play out, keeping an underlying freshness in the process. Best from 2023 through 2034"

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"Leading off the 2019s from bottle, the entry-level 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Bernardine (80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre) offers a Provençal, spicy, morello cherry, and garrigue-scented perfume to go with a medium to full-bodied, ripe yet also savory style on the palate. Drink it over the coming decade."

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