Domaine de Beaurenard Rasteau 2021

A dense, spiced southern Rhône red with dark berry fruit and a savory, herbal edge.

Quick Facts

• Region: Rasteau, Southern Rhône Valley, France
• Variety: 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre
• Style: Co-fermented Rhône red, full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins
• Best For: roast lamb, game, hearty stews, gifting for fans of bold reds
• ABV: 14.5%
• Farming: Certified organic and biodynamic

Winemaking

Domaine de Beaurenard is one of Rasteau's most respected producers, with a philosophy rooted in expressing the character of grenache grown in the southern Rhône's challenging terroir. The estate balances modern winemaking precision with respect for traditional Rhône methods, allowing the vineyard's natural structure to guide extraction and aging decisions.

Tasting Notes

This 2021 Rasteau opens with ripe dark cherry and wild herb aromatics, underscored by the distinctive garrigue notes—dried herbs and scrubland minerals—that define the appellation's identity. On the palate, the wine reveals its grenache foundation through rich black fruit flavors and a supple, velvety tannin structure, with white pepper spice adding complexity and lift. The finish is long and precise, with mineral grip that promises the wine will develop gracefully over the next several years.

Producer

Domaine de Beaurenard is a family-owned estate that has established itself as a benchmark producer within the Rasteau appellation, known for serious, age-worthy wines from grenache-based plantings. The domaine works its vineyards with careful attention to quality over quantity, producing wines that reflect both the power and finesse possible in this southern Rhône village.

Terroir

Rasteau sits in the southern Rhône Valley, a region defined by intense summer heat, strong winds, and dramatic diurnal temperature swings that concentrate fruit while maintaining acidity. The soils here are predominantly sandy and clay-based, interspersed with limestone and galets roulés—smooth, heat-retaining stones that amplify the ripening process and contribute to the wine's mineral precision and structured tannins.

Food Pairings

Serve this with a rustic beef daube or braised lamb shoulder, where the wine's velvety structure and black fruit will complement rich, slowly cooked meat. For a simpler approach, it pairs beautifully with herb-crusted lamb chops or even a well-made burger with aged cheddar, where the garrigue and white pepper notes will add unexpected dimension.