M. Chapoutier – La Bernardine 2018 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The nose is elegant, gourmand and offers a good definition, complexity, a beautiful finesse of the grain, precision and a very fine richness. It reveals notes of quince, fleshy yellow apple, fleshy/juicy Mirabelle, small notes of zests, sense of the place (dry local copse) associated with small touches of apricot, mandarine flowers as well as discreet hints of bee wax, brioche and an imperceptible hint of hazelnut. The palate is elegant, gourmand, racy and offers a beautiful definition, precision, a fine tension, juiciness as well as a good structure, a very fine concentration, harmony, a small complexity, a very fine unctuosity, harmony and a small silky side. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy quince, pulpy Mirabelle, small notes of ripe lemon associated with touches of juicy/finely acidulous apricot, crushed yellow apple, apple flowers, tilleul as well as a subtle hint of sense of the place, bee wax, brioche and sweet spices. Good length. A beautiful aromatic persistence with a subtle hint of mint/rosemary.