Since 1980, Domaine de Beaurenard, property of the Coulon family, has also been cultivating a vineyard on stepped hillsides in the Rasteau appellation. On these sharp terroirs surrounded by vast swathes of woodland and garrigue, biodynamic farming reveals its full expression.
The vintageThe 2021 vintage is once again characterized by a very mild winter, leading to early bud bursting, with serious consequences.
Indeed, during the night of April 7 to 8, a terrible episode of spring frost shook France. Temperatures dropped sharply to -4.5°C on our Rasteau vines. The loss of harvest will be significant. Strong fortunately, our practices of soft pruning, late pruning as well as
the application of Valerian allowed us to contain the damage.
The season was punctuated by many meticulous treatments. He us had to accompany the vine in its growth this year while keeping the strategic shoots for the 2022 season. The summer was hot, without excessive temperature and with cool nights. A few rains came to punctuate it,
leading to a very promising maturation of all our plots.
The harvest took place at the estate from September 7 to October 8, out of 26 harvest days. Although nearly 300mm of rain and thunderstorms marked the period, our grapes reached great maturity. Our old cups once again demonstrated their relevance. With high feet, presenting
smaller and more airy bunches, the grapes were less exposed to humidity and its consequences. This allowed us to wait for maturity optimum from each parcel and to pick very healthy grapes, of great quality, throughout the harvest.
Selection of the best plots, all on hillsides, benches and steep terraces, characterized by a marvelous terroir of "gray to gray-blue marl from the Tortonian (Middle Miocene)", blue clays, which are called locally this wine a lot of depth and minerality. Yields are low since they are 25hl/Ha. The grape varieties adapted to the terroir chosen to produce this Rasteau: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah.
In the vineyardThe grapes are hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard.
WinemakingDestemming and long vatting -25 to 28 days-, indigenous yeasts, in order to take advantage of the concentration obtained in the vineyard, of its minerality and always with a view to refining the extracted tannins as much as possible. The blue clays always giving denser tannins, the ripening continues during the aging in small oak casks for 15 months, which brings finesse and elegance. Bottling without filtration is carried out with care at the Domaine.
AgeingThe blue clays always giving denser tannins, the ripening continues during the aging in small oak tuns for 15 months, which brings finesse and elegance. Bottling without filtration is carried out with care at the Domaine.
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Good fresh fruit, this is smooth and approachable. Nice
ripeness of fruit and tannin here, teamed with quite forthright
acidity. More classically Rasteau than many this year, this has
ample fruit and muscle.
Matt Walls
Decanter
, 91
Violets, floral notes and liquorice stand out on the attractive
nose. The palate has very well-judged firm and fine tannins,
and lovely concentration of spiced dark fruits, liquorice and
crushed blackberry. Very elegant, refined with a textured,
ripe and very pure vibrant finish.
Alistair Cooper
Jancis Robinson
, 16.5
Les Argiles Bleues possèdent autant de classe en 2021 qu’en 2020, avec un fruit tout aussi scintillant, mais un degré moins imposant ; la bouche est signée par la salinité des calcaires.
Guide des meilleurs vins de France 2025
La Revue du Vin de France
, 91
This red’s attractive violet, black currant and plum flavors show a liberal dusting of black pepper. Offers plenty of graphite pwer, while an intriguing eucalyptus note brings freshness, with savory, salty mesquite and mineral notes splaying out. Black tea tannins keep this slightly grippy and tightly wound on the medium-length finish. […].
Wine Spectator
, 90
