In the 14th century, during their stays in Avignon, the popes – and especially Pope John XXII – built a papal castle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Impressed by the area's exceptional soils, they established vineyards on the slopes surrounding the château and were instrumental in promoting the local wine's reputation around the world.
Domaine de Beaurenard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape has been a family-run estate for seven
generations.
A notarial act dated 16 December 1695 mentions “Bois Renard”, which over time has become “Beaurenard”.
The Coulon brothers, Daniel and Frédéric, have taken over from Paul and Régine and are striving to sustain tradition.
The estate covers 32 hectares (a little under 80 acres) of vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 25 hectares in the Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau AOC area.
The pebbles the 13 grape varieties the sun and the Mistral have been joining forces for centuries to give birth to each vintage of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. The terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is unique: here the large sun-warmed stones diffuse a gentle, providential heat that helps the grapes to mature and their juice to concentrate. The Domaine is home to the " Symphony of 13 varieties" typical of this AOC, which provide aromatic complexity, strength and balance.
For the red wines, four varieties dominate : Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, supplemented by Counoise, Muscardin, Terret Noir and Vaccarèse. The whites are made from white-grape vines : Clairette, Roussane, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Picardan and Picpoul.
All of Domaine de Beaurenard's vines (60ha) are cultivated organically (Ecocert certified) and even biodynamically (Demeter certified), without synthetic chemicals. The vines are thus attuned to nature, lunar and planetary cycles, and the rhythms of the cosmos.
At key moments, we apply biodynamic preparations (born dung, dung compost, silica, etc.) that strengthen the vines's natural defences. To further fortify them, plant-tea sprays (nettle,yarrow,horsetail,camomile...) are regularly dispensed. In the vineyatds, these methods involve working the soil without herbicides, spreading carefully-dynamised manure, and maintaining sensible grass cover (according to climatic conditions).
The creation of a conservatory with the 13 grape varieties allowed by the appellation, procured from the estate's oldest vines, also promotes biodiversity. The varieties were selected over a five-year period and splice-grafted in aplot where the soil had been resting for 12 years.In doing this, we aimed primarily to safeguard a natural genetic heritage that is particularly well adapted to the terroir. But we were also mindful of future generations; and of being able, if global warning continues, to increase the proportion of varieties that contain less sugar ( and so less alcohol) and contribute aromatic complexity.
Meticulous work is performed all around the years, and particularly during four intense periods :
Pruning is done solely by the estate staff: each person tends to the same plot over the long term, crafting their vines like sculptures.
Debudding of all the vines: this prevents leaf build-up around the bunches, ensure small yields, and ventilates the vine-trunks by letting natural light through. Several other jobs are also done while the grapes are still unripe: placing the shoots between the trellis wires, to which they are then fastened; and green harvesting if necessary.
Soil-working and controlled grass cover are supplemented by a team of seasonal workers who, during long weeks, hoe between the vines – a very strenuous, painstaking job in our stony soils.
Harvesting with all grapes hand-picked and sorted.
This type of extremely precise cultivation and monitoring means we obtain healthy grapes, the only way to make wines of high-quality and concentration.
Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is made from Clairette blanche & Rose, Grenache Blanc & Gris, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picpoul and Picardan.
Gold bright green color. Expressive nose with pear and stone fruits aromas (peach, apricot) with jasmine and roasted almonds notes. The mouth is smooth and fleshy like stone fruit we can smell, with a long a nice finish.
Review:
Bright golden yellow, silver reflections. Delicate herbal spices, a hint of chamomile and mandarin zest, pears and blossom honey are underneath. Juicy, elegant, white peach, delicate honeydew melon, mineral and harmonious, fine fruit sweetness, good ripening potential.
-Falstaff 92 Points
A bright, high-pitched style, with makrut lime, green apple and green melon flavors laced with a jasmine note. A subtle mineral edge provides balance on the finish. Drink now through 2024
-Wine Spectator 91 Points
Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape is made from 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre.
Domaine de Beaurenard’s flagship wine is a quintessential blend, reflecting all the diversity of the terroir and the perfect synergy that exists between the soils and the grapes. It offers a supple and refined texture associated with a delicate aromatic palette that is the result of a constant quest for freshness.
Review:
Checking in as a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest a handful of varieties, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape was brought up in a mix of foudre and older barrels. This deep ruby/purple-hued effort has a pure, vibrant, incredibly seamless, medium to full-bodied style that carries classic notes of black raspberry and black cherry fruits as well as peppery herbs, violets, spring flowers, and sous bois. This straight-up gorgeous, seamless, ultra-fine 2019 should be snatched up by readers. It has a rare mix of elegance, purity, and power, and it’s going to have two decades of prime drinking.
-Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
DuMOL Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Our 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet is a classically built wine typical of this wonderful Napa vintage: deep fruit, enveloping texture, mineral freshness and long supple structure. It’s a harmonious interweaving of four distinct vineyards that intricately balances power and finesse.
With its exceptional farming and rocky volcanic soil, Meteor Vineyard is one of the finest sites in Coombsville. Its fruit dominates the blend and ensures both intensity and delicacy, with soaring aromatics followed by succulent dark fruit.
True Dog Knoll serves as a new focal point in this vintage, its world-renowned west Oakville deep gravel soils bringing deep texture and mineral focus.
Layering in a small amount of Petit Verdot from our Roach Estate in St. Helena provides an element of blue fruit and refinement that balances beautifully with the darker brooding power of Ballard Vineyard’s mountaintop muscle and structure.
With its harmonious layers and textures, this wine reminds me of the 2012 Napa Valley vintage. Dark, inky and opaque, it presents aromas of plum, violets and graphite. Beautiful fruit cascades almost immediately to more savory flavors: crushed rock dustiness, cocoa and cedar. A good, firm mineral spine runs through to the long, bittersweet finish. Ever-evolving in the glass, this wine is poised now and will age beautifully over the next 10+ years.
Review:
A ripe, friendly style, with a creamy-textured core of cassis and cherry preserve flavors underscored by anise and apple wood notes that stay nicely
melded with the fruit on the finish. There’s a lingering cast iron note keeping this grounded.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points
Cabrieres Le Petit Cabrieres is made from 90% Grenache and 10% Cinsault.
Le Petit Cabrieres Rouge is a Vin de Pays du Vaucluse as it is made from grapes grown right outside the Cotes du Rhone geographic designation.
Intense red color with purple highlights. Powerful nose of red fruits. Fruity on the palate with a beautiful freshness.
Pair with charcuterie, hamburgers and cheeses.