Cotations
Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar) 89-91
Chateauneuf-Du-Pape La Bernardine Vivid ruby. Spicy, high-pitched aromas of cherry, black
raspberry and fresh flowers, with a musky note of underbrush in the background. Offers an array of fresh red fruit flavors that show very good energy and focus. A sweet licorice pastille quality gains
power with air and carries through a long, spicy, gently tannic finish.
Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar) 90
(100% grenache that was raised entirely in concrete): Bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, lavender and spices on the fragrant nose and in the mouth. Juicy and nicely concentrated, with strong finishing cut, lingering spiciness and integrated tannins that provide shape and grip.
Jeb Dunuck (The Rhone Report): 89
Made from 100% Grenache, the 2010 La Bernardine is a mid-weight, elegant effort that offers plenty of berry and wild strawberry fruit, loamy earth, and herbs to go with a medium-bodied, fresh, and lightly textured palate. It will be better in another 2-3 years, and hold for upwards of a decade.
Robert Parker 89
Chapoutier’s 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine (100% Grenache) exhibits notes of loamy soil, cranberries, black cherries, bouquet garni and a touch of licorice. Medium to full-bodied and pure with good acidity, more minerality than is normally found in this cuvee, and a long finish, it should drink well for 10-15 years.
Wine Spectator - Mai 2011
Le Châteauneuf-du- Pape La Bernardine 2010 a une couleur plus sombre que le 2009. Plus persistant avec des notes de pain aux figues, de pain d'épices et de graphite, il montre une richesse et une définition supplémentaires.
Wine Spectator - Mai 2011
Le Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2009 est délicieusement pur, avec des notes de mûres entrelacées d'épices douces en finale.
Wine Advocate # 173 Oct 2007
89-90. The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine should turn out to be slightly better than the 2005. It is more charming, reveals sweeter fruit, a very Grenache-dominated personality, with medium to full body, low acidity, and light tannin. I would expect it to drink well for 7-8 years, possibly longer.
Wine Advocate # 173 Octobre 2007
89. The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine, which is mostly Grenache, is an elegant take on this appellation, with notes of sweet cherry, currant, and hints of olive and roasted herbs. This is a fruit-driven, dark ruby, medium-bodied wine to drink in its first 7-8 years of life.
Wine Advocate #156 (Dec 2004)
95-97/100. The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine is pure cherry liqueur offered in a sexy, opulent, medium to full-bodied style. With low acidity and high glycerin, it is best consumed over the next decade.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) Octobre 2000
It is an impressive, seductive, sexy effort. Notes of kirsch liqueur, pepper, and herbs jump from the glass of this 100 % Grenache cuvee. Big, chewy, and fruit-driven, it does not possess the structure of the 1998, but most readers will find it even more disarming and appealing. It should drink well for 10-15 years. 89-91
Steve TANZER (International Wine Cellar / USA) Février / Mars 2000
Le nez exhale des arômes plus haut perchés de liqueur de cerise, de framboise et de confiture de raisins ainsi qu'un soupçon de fumée de bois ; un nez de grenache ultramûr et classique. Dense, gras et confituré en bouche, ce vin évoque nettement une liqueur. La finale met en avant des tannins poudreux et substantiels ainsi qu'une superbe longueur. 87-90.
Steve TANZER (International Wine Cellar / USA) Février / Mars 2000
Higher-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, raspberry and grape jam, plus a hint of woodsmoke; classic superripe grenache. Dense, fat and jammy in the mouth; distinctly liqueur-like. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and very good length. 87-90.
(www.wineskinny.com / USA) août 2000
Perhaps the best Châteauneuf du Pape ever from this omnipresent Rhône producer, and at an incredible value price. Bright red fruit, herbal notes, touches of game and spice, we just cannot say enough about this wine, and we're not alone. Should be hitting the shelves soon, so watch for it and snatch some up before it's all gone. Best to cellar for a few years -- at least four and up to ten.
(WINE ENTHOUSIAST / USA) Juillet 2000
Impressive. Ripe, rich and full-bodied, showing silky texture, wit hlots of plum, red berry and blackberry character. Also digging for the earth, with a nice minerally, chalky personnality that comes through on the long, tightly structured finish. Best from 2003 throufgh 2012. 92
(www.wineskinny.com / USA) Octobre 2000
Perhaps the best Châteauneuf-du-Pape ever from this omnipresent Rhône producer, and at an incredible value price. Bright red fruit, herbal notes, touches of game and spice, we just cannot say enough about this wine, and we're not alone. Best to cellar for a few years - at least four and up to ten.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) Octobre 2000
It may be outstanding. It is drinking even better from bottle than it did from cask. Chapoutier feels it is his finest since the 1990, which he still rates as superior, followed by 1995. The 1998 exhibits a deep plum/garnet color, and a big, smoky nose of dried herbs, black cherry jam, plums, and licorice. There is excellent concentration, considerable quantities of spice box in the flavours, a dense, chewy mid-palate, and a long, moderately tannic finish. It can be drunk now as well as over the next 12-15 years. 89
Steve TANZER (International Wine Cellar / USA) Février / Mars 2000
Robe rouge moyen relativement saturé. Arômes de cerise rouge épicée et d'herbe fraîche au nez de ce vin qui manque vraiment de chair en milieu de bouche et se termine sur une longueur modeste. Très poivré. Une partie de cette cuvée n'a pas encore été mise en bouteilles. 85.
Steve TANZER (International Wine Cellar / USA) Février / Mars 2000
Moderately saturated medium red. Spicy red cherry and herbal aromas. Lacks real flesh in the middle patate, and finishes with modest length. Quite peppery. Part of this cuvée has not yet been bottled. 85.
(LE GUIDE HACHETTE DES VINS 2000 / France) Novembre 1999
Une robe rubis présentant quelques reflets bruns habille ce 1997 au nez de fruits secs et d'abricot. Les même notes s'amplifient en bouche grâce à une belle et harmonieuse longueur, soutenue par des notes de réglisse. Un Châteauneuf à découvrir.
Leslie Sbrocco (www.winetoday.com / USA) February 1999
A grenache-based wine from 40-60 year old vines bursting with spicy, coffee aromas and deep blackberry fruit. The flavors pair earthy bacon notes with rich fruit. It's a stunner.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) February 1999
The 1997 Châteauneuf du Pape La Bernadine (100% Grenache) exhibits a Provençal herb, kirsch, licorice, cherry, and spicy-scented nose. Medium to fuit-bodied, soft, and round, with heady alcohol in the supple finish, it will drink well young, and keep for 5-7 years.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) October 1997
It is one of the more successful and denser wines for the 1996 vintage. Made from yields of 15 hectoliters per hectare, the wine boasts a deep ruby color, a spicy, herbes de Provence, peppery, earthy nose, sweet cherry fruit flavors, medium to full body, and surprising density and length for a 1996. La Bernardine will be accessible upon its release, yet last for 10-15 years, atypically for a 1996 Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
(LE NOUVEL OBSERVATEUR / France) n° 1842 / Février 2000
Michel Chapoutier, défenseur de la biodynamie, des rendements contrôlés et des macérations longues, donne le meilleur de lui même avec ce grenache de haute tenue. La Bernardine 1996 est un vin de garde aux arômes poivrés et épicés, un vin de soleil dont la densité explose déjà en bouche, sur des notes de cerises et de raisins très mûrs. Carafer deux heures avant et servir à 17°C sur un tajine, un gigot de chevreuil ou un civet de lièvre.
Michel PHANEUF (Le guide du vin 1999 / Canada)
Dans l'excellent millésime 1995, un Châteauneuf très complet, chaud en bouche, riche en fruit mûr et en tanins dodus; des goûts -poivrés et de fruits secs très caractéristiques du cépage grenache. Un autre franc succès pour la Maison Chapoutier dont on a tant vanté la renaissance au cours des 10 dernières années.
Michel PHANEUF (LA FINE GOUTTE / Canada) Janvier 1997
Un vin très classique dans lequel les amateurs du genre retrouveront toute la fougue et la force qui ont fait la réputation de cette appellation. Des rendements de l'ordre de 18 hectos / hectare expliquent sa concentration et sa richesse tannique. Vigoureux et plantureux.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) October 1997
It is a delicious, open-knit, forward wine. The deep ruby color with purple hues is accompanied with a sweet nose of black raspberries, blackberries, cassis, prune, and cherries. The wine is full-bodied, with sweet, lush fruit, moderate tannin, and fine density and power. It can be drunk now, but should be at its peak of maturity between 2002-2012
Clive COATES (THE VINE / England) Septembre 1996
Good colour. Very Grenachy. Rich, round. Good ripe tannins. This is typically slightly peppery. Very good. 1998-2004.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) August 1996
It displays a deep ruby/purple color, a sweet, expansive nose of garrigue, cedar, black and red fruits, and roasted peanuts. Full-bodied, rich, and structured, this outstanding wine will require 4-5 years of cellaring.
Alain LALIBERTE (LE CERCLE DES AMIS DU VIN / Canada) 1997 / 1998
Ce vin monocépage (fait rare à Châteauneuf-du-Pape) est le produit de Grenache provenant majoritairement de la commune de Bédarrides. Le résultat est bien défini avec une robe dense et des odeurs intense de fruits noirs confits, de vanille et de café. Une attaque capiteuse alliant charnu et finesse développe un caractére étoffé et généreux par des tanins fermes et compacts. Riche et harmonieuse, la finale destine ce vin à une longue vie.
Alain LALIBERTE (LA ROSE DES VINS / Canada) Avril 1996
Un des rares Châteauneuf composé à 100 % de Grenache. Une robe dense et violacée ; un nez complexe de fruits noirs un peu confits, vanille et café. Une attaque de velours alliant puissance et finesse, une trame serrée, une évolution riche et harmonieuse qualifiant ce vin qu'il ne faudra pas manquer.
Clive COATES (THE VINE / England) Septembre 1996
Ripe, classic, fruity. Good balance. Nicely concentrated. Already quite evolved. Attractive. Very more-ish. Not as concentrated as the 1995. Or as rich or velvety. Good. 1998-2003.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) August 1996
It possesses a licorice, peppery, black-cherry/kirsch-scented nose, spicy, full-bodied, tannic, structured flavors, outstanding depth, and copious amouts of alcohol and glycerin in the long finish. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) October 1995
Made from minuscule yields of 16 hectoliters per hectare, it is a dense, tannic, full-bodied wine with abundant quantities of black-cherry and blackberry fruit. Although closed, it exhibits considerable weight and thickness on the palate. Atypically hard and tannic for the 1994 vintage, this wine still posseses enough richness and extraction for balance. It will obviously be a long-term Châteauneuf, lasting for 10-15+ years.
(L'ART ET LE VIN / France) Mars 1997
Robe d'un beau rouge carmin légèrement trouble. Nez réservé au premier abord mais qui évolue vers le gibier et le cuir. L'attaque est souple sur un corps assez léger mais moelleux.
(L'ART ET LE VIN / France) Février 1996
Robe soutenue et encore très jeune avec des reflets violets. Nez fin et riche avec en particulier du cuir et de nombreux épices. En bouche, bonne concentration, tannins présents mais bien mûrs. Vin encore sur la réserve. Evolution favorable prévisible.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) June 1994
Dark ruby / purple color, a big peppery, spicy, cassis-scented nose, rich, full-bodied flavors, superb depth and ripeness, and a long, heady, glycerin-imbued, alcoholic finish. It is a potentially outstanding example of Châteauneuf du Pape that should last for 15 or more years.
(LE GUIDE HACHETTE DES VINS 96 / France) Novembre 1995
"Joli et harmonieux", voici ce qu'a conclu le jury, après une dégustation agréable. En effet ce vin a atteint un bon équilibre grâce à des tanins souples et déjà fondus. Ses arômes de pain grillé, de torrefaction et de miel contribuent à son charme. Un 1992 prêt à satisfaire un large public dans les quatres années à venir.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) June 1994
Black / purple-colored. It offers a gorgeously perfumed bouquet of exotic spices, herbs, pepper, leather, and black fruits. Made from only 15 hectoliters per hectare, this dense, magnificently concentrated wine possesses fabulous ripeness, gobs of rich, chewy fruit, and a long, heady, spectacular finish. Soft enough to be drunk, it should evolve gracefully for two decades.
Stephen BENNETT MW (WINE TIMES / New Zealand) March 1995
Deeply coloured with a magnificently complex aroma of peppercorns, cummin, blackcurrants, leather and roasted meat. This is an extremely satisfying wine with rich, chewy, savoury fruit flavours and a full lingering finish. Deliciously soft now but able to last another ten years.
(LE JOURNAL DU MEDECIN / Belgique) Juin 1995
Nez de cerise (surprenant !), d'eau de vie, de feuilles de cassis froissées, légèrement fumé de surcroît.
Mark SPIVAK (FLORIDA WINE BULLETIN / USA) April / May 1995
This is a fine effort for the vintage, although it lacks the structure and concentration of the 1990. It has a soft crimson / ruby color and a fragrant nose of blackberries, roasted peanuts, minerals and Damson plums. The wine enters the mouth cleanly ; there is a rush of fruit tannin in the mid-palate, a medium-bodied and silky texture, and lingering flavours of cassis, earth, blackberry and plum on the finish. Drinkable now.
Michel PHANEUF (LE GUIDE DU VIN 95 / Canada) 1994
Non contents d'avoir révolutionné leurs vins du nord de la vallée du Rhône, les jeunes frères Chapoutier semblent résolus à s'imposer en tant que leaders à Châteauneuf-du-Pape. "La Bernardine" 1990 est un solide Châteauneuf plein et concentré, de facture traditionnelle, épicé, long et chaleureux. Un vin généreux et imposant, mais aussi riche de nombreux petits détails. Déjà profond et complexe, ce vin sera encore plus grand dans quelques années. Compte-tenu de la qualité et du potentiel, le prix n'est pas excessif.
