Louis Bernard Reviews

Reassuringly back up to par, Louis Bernard's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape offers hints of anise and cherry on the nose. A full-bodied blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, it's creamy and lush on the palate, easing into notes of mocha and black tea on the finish.

The 2015 Gigondas was still aging in tank at the time of my tastings, yet it appears to be a charming, medium to full-bodied, nicely textured 2015 that has classic red and black fruits, leafy herbs and apple peppery spice aromas and flavors. It should end up being an outstanding wine. 

This is a plump, medium-bodied rosé, one that ably marries strawberry fruit with hints of cracked pepper and cinnamon. Best Buy. —J.C. 

This Plump, succulent wine has enough cinnamon and peppery spice notes to maintain interest sip after sip. 

Vivid ruby-red. Jammy red berries and a hint of cracked pepper on the nose. Light-bodied raspberry and cherry flavors pick up a dark chocolate nuance with air and offer a hint of bitterness on the back half. Racy and refreshing, showing no excess weight, very soft tannins and just a hint of dusty tannins. -- Josh Raynolds

Best Buy 
Firm and savory, this is all lemons and stones, the flavors kept fresh by the wine's bright acidity. 

Best Buy. This is waxy and broad, with earth and herbal notes curbing the sweetness of the fruit. Give it a light chill for a goat cheese salad.

Best Buy. Cherry bright and gamey, this is an easy pour for grilled fennel sausages.

Lush and giving, this doesn’t have much structure, but it has plenty of sweet black raspberry fruit and violet scents. For blue-cheese burgers.

Lightly nutty, with a toasted almond note followed by yellow apple and shortbread flavors. A dried pineapple hint shows on the finish.

Also well done and a fair value, the 2010 Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône Domaine Le Garrigon, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan, shows loads of red and black fruits, leaf tobacco, damp earth, and pepper, to go with a medium-bodied, supple, lightly textured palate. There’s not much depth here, but it’s very well balanced, improves in the glass, and excels for its approachable, easy drinking character. It should be enjoyed over the coming 2-3 years.

Deep red. Highly perfumed, lively aromas of raspberry and cherry complemented by zesty mineral and garrigue notes. Round and silky on the palate, showing a deep, sweet red fruit quality and very soft tannins. Finishes with very good cling and length, leaving behind a jammy red fruit note. This fruity wine is already easy to drink.

Cherry and strawberry pie like fruit on the tongue with excellent balance and a lovely savory finish.