In the glass

Full-bodiedLow tanninLow aciditySweetVery Long finish

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.

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.

  1. 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

Tags

cellar worthy fortified vdn full body hidden gem low acid low tannin mood contemplative mood elegant muscat blanc a petits grains occasion cellar occasion special old vines old world pairs with blue cheese pairs with digestif pairs with fruit desserts price premium sweet
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