Domaine Berthet Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Wine, Complete Guide

Domaine Berthet-Rayne

Learn everything about Domaine Berthet Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, history, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and winemakers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles

Domaine Berthet Rayne History, Overview

Domaine Berthet Rayne, located in the Courthezon appellation is a relatively new producer, as they only formed the Domaine in 1978. Prior to that date, the property was known as Domaine des Cigalons.

In fact, Domaine des Cigalons only dates back to 1920, when the estate was founded by Raoul Raymond. At the time of the purchase, the vineyard was devoted to cherries.

In 1978 Dany Raymond, the grandchild of the founder married Christian Berthet-Rayne and as you can guess from the name, Domaine Berthet Rayne was founded. Today, the vineyard is managed by Laure Capeau and her husband Martial Capeau.

Domaine Berthet Rayne Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

Domaine Berthet Rayne owns 25 hectares of vines. Of their vineyard land, 14.7 hectares are located in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. The majority of their vines are situated in the Chapouin, Coudoulet and La Gardiole lieux-dits in the northern part of Chateauneuf du Pape.

Much of their terroir consists of clay and chalk soils. They have old vines. Their oldest vines are more than 100 years of age. They also own vines located in the Cotes du Rhone. Since the extremely difficult 2002 vintage, Domaine Berthet Rayne has relied on 100% organic farming techniques. Domaine Berthet Rayne is Ecocert certified.

Domaine Berthet Rayne produces 4 red Chateauneuf du Pape and white Chateauneuf du Pape wines. Vinification takes place in traditional cement vats. Most of the wine is aged in stainless steel.

Domaine Berthet Rayne Tradition is made from a blend that is usually close to 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault. The berries are vinified in cement tanks. The wine is aged in neutral vats or tanks for an average of 12 months. Close to 2,000 cases are produced each year.

Domaine Berthet Rayne Elixir des Papes is made from 100% old vine Grenache. The terroir is rocks, pebbles, and limestone soils in the Coudoulet vineyard. The grapes are destemmed according to the needs of the vintage. Vinification takes place in cement tanks.

Domaine Berthet Rayne Fut de Chene is produced from a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault. The terroir is rocks, pebbles, and limestone soils in the la Gardiole vineyard. The average of the vines used to produce this Cuvee are 50 years of age. The grapes are destemmed.

The grapes are vinified in cement tanks. The wine is aged in demi-muids and used French oak barrels for up to 18 months. 900 cases of this wine are produced in most vintages.

Domaine Berthet Rayne is Cuvee Cadiac, the top wine of the estate is produced from an even split of 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre. On average the grapes come from vines that are over 65 years of age.

The terroir is rocks, pebbles, and limestone. The vines are planted in the Coudoulet lieu-dit. The berries are destemmed. Cuvee Cadiac is aged in up to 100% new, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months. Not much of this special wine is produced as production is on average close to 200 cases per year.

Domaine Berthet Rayne Blanc is made from a blend of 40% Clairette, 40% Bourboulenc, 10% Grenache Blanc and 10% Roussanne.

When to Drink, Anticipated Domaine Berthet Rayne maturity, Decanting Time

Domaine Berthet Rayne can be enjoyed on the young side. Young vintages can be popped and poured, or decanted for about 1 hour, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Domaine Berthet Rayne is usually better with 3-4 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages, the wine should be consumed within 4-15 years after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Domaine Berthet Rayne with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Domaine Berthet Rayne is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Domaine Berthet Rayne is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Domaine Berthet Rayne is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

The white wine of Berthet is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork, and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

www.berthet-rayne.fr

Domaine Berthet-Rayne Wine Tasting Notes

26 Vintages 44,031 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2021
91
Kirsch, flowers, and garrigue on the nose brings you to the core of the wine, which offers silky, fresh, sweet, kirsch, and strawberries. You can enjoy this on release with pleasure. Drink from 2024-2031.

Kirsch, flowers, and garrigue on the nose brings you to the core of the wine, which offers silky, fresh, sweet, kirsch, and strawberries. You can enjoy this on release with pleasure. Drink from 2024-2031.

260 Views   Tasted
2020
93
With a strong floral accent, the wine gets better once you find all the herbs, licorice, bay leaf and spice in the nose. Medium bodied, lush and fresh, the sweetness in the kirsch stands out in the fruit-packed, creamy, pepper-tinted finish. The wine is produced from a blend a Grenache dominated blend along with all the other allowable grape varieties from the appellation. Drink from 2023-2035.

With a strong floral accent, the wine gets better once you find all the herbs, licorice, bay leaf and spice in the nose. Medium bodied, lush and fresh, the sweetness in the kirsch stands out in the fruit-packed, creamy, pepper-tinted finish. The wine is produced from a blend a Grenache dominated blend along with all the other allowable grape varieties from the appellation. Drink from 2023-2035.

619 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Soft, supple, creamy and polished, the red fruits are sweet, and vibrant, which makes the perfect backdrop for all the green olives, garrigue and spice that comes next. Drink from 2024 - 2037.

Soft, supple, creamy and polished, the red fruits are sweet, and vibrant, which makes the perfect backdrop for all the green olives, garrigue and spice that comes next. Drink from 2024 - 2037.

637 Views   Tasted
2020
91
Garrigue, green olives, flowers, and kirsch hit the nose just right. Elegant, silky, fresh and sweet, with a core of ripe, cherries and red plums on the backend, you can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2023-2034.

Garrigue, green olives, flowers, and kirsch hit the nose just right. Elegant, silky, fresh and sweet, with a core of ripe, cherries and red plums on the backend, you can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2023-2034.

749 Views   Tasted
2019
94
Meaty, spicy, peppery, smoky and wild, the Mourvedre stand out here. On the palate the wine is rich, intense, spicy, weighty and yet, balanced, fresh and vibrant, finishing with layers of dark deep, spiced, earthy, red fruits. The wine is produced from a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre. Give it a few years in the cellar a this can age. Drink from 2024 - 2038

Meaty, spicy, peppery, smoky and wild, the Mourvedre stand out here. On the palate the wine is rich, intense, spicy, weighty and yet, balanced, fresh and vibrant, finishing with layers of dark deep, spiced, earthy, red fruits. The wine is produced from a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre. Give it a few years in the cellar a this can age. Drink from 2024 - 2038

1,564 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Garrigue, olives, leafy herbs, dried thyme, flowers and cherries create the nose. The wine is round, plush, soft, fruity-filled and generous, the savory finish delivers layers of spicy berries, pepper, grilled meat and black raspberries. There is length and energy here. The Mourvedre and Counoise add a lot to the blend. This should age and develop quite well. Drink from 2024 - 2040

Garrigue, olives, leafy herbs, dried thyme, flowers and cherries create the nose. The wine is round, plush, soft, fruity-filled and generous, the savory finish delivers layers of spicy berries, pepper, grilled meat and black raspberries. There is length and energy here. The Mourvedre and Counoise add a lot to the blend. This should age and develop quite well. Drink from 2024 - 2040

1,435 Views   Tasted
2019
91
Dried herbs and leafy notes are in the forefront, before you find the red kirsch notes. Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, silky and vibrant, the wine is sweet, juicy and lively, leaving you with ample peppery, silky red fruits in the finish. Drink from 2022 - 2033

Dried herbs and leafy notes are in the forefront, before you find the red kirsch notes. Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, silky and vibrant, the wine is sweet, juicy and lively, leaving you with ample peppery, silky red fruits in the finish. Drink from 2022 - 2033

1,318 Views   Tasted
2018
91
The garrigue, licorice and spicy cherries hit you right off the bat before you jump into the medium-bodied, spicy, kirsch and tart raspberries. Soft and energetic, silky and refined, the addition of Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah adds a lot to the wine.

The garrigue, licorice and spicy cherries hit you right off the bat before you jump into the medium-bodied, spicy, kirsch and tart raspberries. Soft and energetic, silky and refined, the addition of Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah adds a lot to the wine.

1,348 Views   Tasted
2017
93
Deep in color, the wine is lush and polished with meaty dark red fruits, spice, earth and florality. The wine is plush, dark and round, with loads of dark berries in the finish. The wine is produced from a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre.

Deep in color, the wine is lush and polished with meaty dark red fruits, spice, earth and florality. The wine is plush, dark and round, with loads of dark berries in the finish. The wine is produced from a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre.

1,823 Views   Tasted
2017
92
Black cherry, licorice, smoke and herbs permeate the nose. On the palate the wine shows its fruity side with its soft, lush, polished, peppery cherry character. You can definitely enjoy this charmer in its youth, or age it a few years for more complexity. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise.

Black cherry, licorice, smoke and herbs permeate the nose. On the palate the wine shows its fruity side with its soft, lush, polished, peppery cherry character. You can definitely enjoy this charmer in its youth, or age it a few years for more complexity. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise.

1,817 Views   Tasted
2017
91
The earthiness in the kirsch comes quickly in the nose. Medium bodied with soft, round, juicy, sweet, red cherries helps finish this off quite nicely. The wine was blended using 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

The earthiness in the kirsch comes quickly in the nose. Medium bodied with soft, round, juicy, sweet, red cherries helps finish this off quite nicely. The wine was blended using 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

2,146 Views   Tasted
2016
93
Medium bodied, forward, soft and supple. The spicy, fruity, charming, soft textured wine is refined, elegant and open. Fresh and polished, you can enjoy this on release. The wine is produced from a blend a Grenache dominated blend along with all the other allowable grape varieties from the appellation.

Medium bodied, forward, soft and supple. The spicy, fruity, charming, soft textured wine is refined, elegant and open. Fresh and polished, you can enjoy this on release. The wine is produced from a blend a Grenache dominated blend along with all the other allowable grape varieties from the appellation.

1,458 Views   Tasted
2016
92
Medium bodied and loaded with juicy, sweet, ripe, cherries, the wine is soft, fresh and forward making this a treat to drink on release. The wine was blended using 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

Medium bodied and loaded with juicy, sweet, ripe, cherries, the wine is soft, fresh and forward making this a treat to drink on release. The wine was blended using 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

3,100 Views   Tasted
2016
92
Earthy, garrigue, deep, red fruits, barnyard, dark spice and licorice set off the complex aromatics. On the palate the wine is lush, round and supple, leaving you with licorice and juicy, peppered plums in the end notes. You can definitely enjoy this beauty in its youth. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise.

Earthy, garrigue, deep, red fruits, barnyard, dark spice and licorice set off the complex aromatics. On the palate the wine is lush, round and supple, leaving you with licorice and juicy, peppered plums in the end notes. You can definitely enjoy this beauty in its youth. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise.

1,430 Views   Tasted
2015
91
Round supple textures, juicy fruits, earth, herbs and licorice combine to create complexities. Sweet and fresh, the medium bodied wine should not require much aging to show its best.

Round supple textures, juicy fruits, earth, herbs and licorice combine to create complexities. Sweet and fresh, the medium bodied wine should not require much aging to show its best.

1,258 Views   Tasted
2015
89
Silky, soft and polished, with a core of sweet, ripe cherries, thyme and herbs. The wine is soft textured and fresh, with a kirsch filled finish. The wine was produced using 100% Grenache.

Silky, soft and polished, with a core of sweet, ripe cherries, thyme and herbs. The wine is soft textured and fresh, with a kirsch filled finish. The wine was produced using 100% Grenache.

1,235 Views   Tasted
2015
88
Medium bodied, forward, direct, easy going kirsch filled wine with a bit of spice and a nice sweetness to the red fruits. The wine was blended from 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

Medium bodied, forward, direct, easy going kirsch filled wine with a bit of spice and a nice sweetness to the red fruits. The wine was blended from 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

2,971 Views   Tasted
2013
89
Sweet, lush red fruits, soft textures and forward as well as modern in style. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise.

Sweet, lush red fruits, soft textures and forward as well as modern in style. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise.

1,109 Views   Tasted
2013
87
Garrigue, licorice and kirsch create the nose. Forward, medium bodied and ending with a sweet, fresh, red cherry finish. The wine is made from 100% Grenache.

Garrigue, licorice and kirsch create the nose. Forward, medium bodied and ending with a sweet, fresh, red cherry finish. The wine is made from 100% Grenache.

1,177 Views   Tasted
2013
86
Medium bodied, fresh, sweet, ripe fruits and pepper, with an elegantly styled finish for early drinking. Produced from blending 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

Medium bodied, fresh, sweet, ripe fruits and pepper, with an elegantly styled finish for early drinking. Produced from blending 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

2,399 Views   Tasted
2012
90
With a mineral driven core of fruit, the wine is fresh, expansive and rich in texture.

With a mineral driven core of fruit, the wine is fresh, expansive and rich in texture.

1,609 Views   Tasted
2012
90
From 100% Grenache, the wine is supple, soft and filled with black raspberries and garrigue. The peppery kirsch found in the end note is a treat.

From 100% Grenache, the wine is supple, soft and filled with black raspberries and garrigue. The peppery kirsch found in the end note is a treat.

1,793 Views   Tasted
2012
89
Medium bodied, fresh filled with spicy black raspberries, the wine was produced from 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise.

Medium bodied, fresh filled with spicy black raspberries, the wine was produced from 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise.

1,426 Views   Tasted
2012
89
With the essence of wild strawberries, this finesse styled wine is packed with freshness and pure cherries in the finish.

With the essence of wild strawberries, this finesse styled wine is packed with freshness and pure cherries in the finish.

2,864 Views   Tasted
2010
94
Full bodied, concentrated, lush and intense, this is filled with spicy, ripe, berries, with the structure for aging. Give this delicious wine a few years before pulling a cork.

Full bodied, concentrated, lush and intense, this is filled with spicy, ripe, berries, with the structure for aging. Give this delicious wine a few years before pulling a cork.

2,370 Views   Tasted
2010
92
Fleshy, silky, elegant and filled with fresh kirsch and wild strawberries, the wine is rich and vibrant.

Fleshy, silky, elegant and filled with fresh kirsch and wild strawberries, the wine is rich and vibrant.

1,761 Views   Tasted