Winemaker Notes
Domaine de Beaurenard's 2022 Rasteau offers intense aromas of black fruit and blueberries, lifted by a touch of spice. The density and depth of the palate associate fruit and minerality with remarkable persistence.
Blend: 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is a juicy, well-shaped and vivid Rasteau with aromas of red berries, dried herbs, grilled meat and some rosemary. It’s full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. In control, with a delicious center-palate of generous berries and a lively finish with herbs and peppercorns. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
There's an alluring prettiness to this solid red, with violet and rose hip high tones overlaying a core of cassis and black raspberry. Both firm and vibrant on the palate, with chalky mineral, iron and cooling river stone notes adding contrast. A smoky incense element plays out on the persistent finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
The Coulons have estate-bottled their wines since the early 1900’s. Paul Coulon's father and grandfather were instrumental in creating the regulations of the Appellation Contrôlée system (Chateauneuf du Pape was France's first appellation contrôlée, in 1929). Detail oriented, meticulous to the point of perfectionism, visitors can peruse not only the informative Musée du Vin below their Rasteau vineyard, but detailed volumes for each vintage with ground temperatures, rainfall, hours of sunlight, etc.
Domaine de Beaurenard portfolio includes: Cotes du Rhone Rouge & Rose, Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau, Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge & Blanc and Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Boisrenard which is consistently one of Robert Parker and Stephen Tanzer's most highly rated Rhone wines.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
A highly successful southern Rhone village promoted to Cotes du Rhone Villages status because of its intense and heady red wines, Rasteau is also recognized for its fortified wine, Vin Doux Naturel. Grenache is responsible for both styles. Rasteau also produces refreshing white and rosé table wines.