In the glass
Aroma: candied orange peel, dried apricot, toasted almond, saffron, honey
Palate: marmalade, dried fig, roasted nut, caramel, very long sweet finish
An aged, oxidative Muscat with extraordinary complexity; dried citrus, almond, saffron, and fig from extended old-wood ageing. A Southern Rhone rarity with the complexity of a great Sauternes.
What it pairs with
-
Tarte aux abricots secs
Dried apricot and almond richness mirrors the wine's deep dried-fruit sweetness. -
Bleu des Causses or Roquefort
Rich oxidative sweetness contrasts with salty, pungent blue cheese.
How to serve Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Vieux Millesimes
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a small fortified-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Tarte aux abricots secs, Bleu des Causses or Roquefort. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Bernardins introduced their aged Muscat offering in 1985, allowing select vintages to oxidise slowly in old demi-muids. The result is a rare Southern Rhone dessert wine that can rival aged Sauternes or Banyuls in complexity.
- 1985 — First Vieux Millesimes Muscat aged in oxidative style at Bernardins
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine des Bernardins
- Grapes
- Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (100%)
- Classification
- Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC
- Oak
- Extended ageing in old demi-muids; oxidative
- ABV
- 16.0%
- Price
- EUR 35-60 for 50cl at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1985
Frequently asked about Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Vieux Millesimes
What does Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Vieux Millesimes taste like?
On the nose, candied orange peel, dried apricot, toasted almond, saffron, honey. On the palate, marmalade, dried fig, roasted nut, caramel, very long sweet finish. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, low acidity with a very long finish. An aged, oxidative Muscat with extraordinary complexity; dried citrus, almond, saffron, and fig from extended old-wood ageing. A Southern Rhone rarity with the complexity of a great Sauternes.
When should I drink Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Vieux Millesimes?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Vieux Millesimes?
Tarte aux abricots secs is the canonical pairing; Bleu des Causses or Roquefort is the other strong match. Dried apricot and almond richness mirrors the wine's deep dried-fruit sweetness.
What grapes are in Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Vieux Millesimes?
The blend is Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (100%). The wine is classified as Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC.