M.Chapoutier La Bernardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Michel Chapoutier started his love-affair with wine at 26. A self-taught enthusiast and a curious visionary he brings to the winery a new approach and a powerful ambition. An idea of wine that soon became all-embracing. "Wine-grower, wine-maker and wine lover". The choices he made marked a break with past principles and prejudices. A question of audacity and convictions he shares with his young team. An essential, emblematic choice too: he decided to change the taste associated with Maison M. Chapoutier, to avoid cultivating "a signature taste", focusing instead on bringing out the difference and specific features of each terroir.

Chateauneuf's history is extremely dense. One of the most important periods to retain goes back to the time when the Popes had their residence in Avignon in the Xvth Century. The village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape was at that time the papal summer residence (Jean XXII, Urbin V and Innocent VI) and they succeeded in imposing its wines. In the early Xxth Century winegrowers were regularly acknowledged for their wines by a special board of judges which was set up under the instigation of Baron "le Roy de Boiseaumarie."

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre

Quaternary terrace, with a surface of shingles coming from the former bed of the Rhone.

The grapes are carefully selected during the harvesting. Compulsory to obtain the appellation, this sorting allows to have the best bunches of grapes. The vinification is carried out in the traditional way in concrete tanks. This is an about three-week fermentation with a high temperature to ensure an optimal extraction of the colour and tannins. Mainly in concrete tanks between 12 and 15 months.

Intense crimson-red colour. Complex and subtle, blackcurrant and plum followed by roasted coffee and cinnamon, cherry, morello cherry. Opening into spicy (liquorice) and fruity flavours on the palate.