jamie goode's tasting notes on gérard bertrand wines

British wine expert Jamie Goode visited Château l'Hospitalet last weekend to attend the Fête des Vendanges 2021. The Sunday Express wine columnist has just published his tasting notes on the Masterclass delivered by Gérard Bertrand and Andreas Larsson, the world's best sommelier.

Discover his tasting comments and notes:

Clos du Temple 2020 - AOP Languedoc Cabrières
93/100
Gérard Bertrand considers this wine to have an ageing potential of 15 years. A blend of red grape varieties and Viognier, this is a structured wine with a largely fruity and spicy palette. Beautiful balance and a sense of harmony, combined with depth. The finely spiced thread runs through the fruit. The finish is marked by a touch of apricot and grape.

Domaine de L'Aigle Chardonnay 2020 - AOP Limoux
93/100
The Limoux region is a prime Chardonnay area, with vineyards at an altitude of 503 m. This is a powerful, linear, spicy wine with rich pear and peach notes. This is a powerful, linear, spicy wine with rich pear and peach notes and lovely spicy aromas. A blend of richness and finesse.

Château l'Hospitalet Grand Vin Blanc 2019 - AOP La Clape
94/100
Blend of Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Viognier. Fermented in vats, then transferred to oak barrels. Notes of grapefruit and grapes with hints of spice. A wine of depth and character (wild herbs and a touch of salt). Beautiful fruit, mature and generous, with restraint and refinement.

Château de Villemajou Grand Vin Blanc 2019 - AOP Corbières Boutenac
93/100
Apricots, yellow plums and ripe citrus structure this wine. Rich and textured, with a refreshing saline edge. Fine finish: generous, meticulous, delicious.

Château La Sauvageonne Grand Vin Blanc 2020 - AOP Languedoc
92/100
A Terrasses du Larzac wine, a blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier and Roussanne. Estate at 350 m altitude. Fermented in vats, then partially transferred to barrel. Herbs, spices and apricot on the nose, with fine detail. Full-bodied and voluminous on the palate. Rich pear notes and a hint of honey.

Cigalus Blanc 2019 - IGP Aude Hauterive
93/100
Domaine des Corbières. Partially fermented in new oak. Powerful, broad and concentrated with notes of coconut and vanilla amid citrus and peach. Well-defined with good personality. Lively finish with a touch of grapefruit.

Domaine de l'Aigle Pinot Noir 2019 - IGP Haute Vallée de l'Aude
93/100
Limoux. Aged for one year in oak barrels. Charming: fresh and generous at the same time, with cherry, plum and beautiful raspberry notes. Fresh, with a touch of tart cherry on the finish. Elegant, fruity and delicate.

Château La Sauvageonne Grand Vin Rouge 2018 - AOP Terrasses du Larzac
94/100
In 2011, Syrah was initially the driving force behind the blend, supported by Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Grenache took over in 2015 to give an elegant wine, with notes of fresh, sweet cherries and plums. There are also hints of sweet berries. Concentrated yet delicate, with hints of olive and spice on the finish. Rich and balanced with good orientation.

Cigalus Rouge 2019 - IGP Aude Hauterive
94/100
Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Carignan
Syrah and Carignan are vinified by carbonic maceration. Aged in new oak. Beautiful freshness: the Cabernet Sauvignon makes its presence felt with a hint of earth, followed by the elegance of oak. Beautiful texture with great freshness and good structure: a refined Bordeaux-style wine.

Château de Villemajou Grand Vin Rouge 2017 - AOP CORBIÈRES-BOUTENAC
95/100
The origins of Gérard Bertrand's first estate. Carignan is the key to the blend, joined by Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. This wine has fantastic aromas of olive, garrigue, berries and grilled meats. The palate combines notes of ripe cherries and plums with charming spices (olive, meat and a touch of pepper). Very elegant and refined, with a beautiful evolution on the palate.

Château La Soujeole Grand Vin Rouge 2017 - AOP Malepère
95/100
Appellation in western Languedoc, with Atlantic influence. Blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Excellent freshness. Aromatic, pure and concentrated, with sweet blackcurrant notes and some limestone. A touch of salinity. I like the freshness and finesse of this wine: it's luminous with a lovely aromatic character (dried meat and red fruit). A wine to keep.

Château l'Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge 2019 - AOP La Clape
95/100
Limestone soils dominate this marine-influenced vineyard. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Aged 12 to 16 months in oak barrels. Magnificent, rich nose: flowers, pepper, olives, meat, with Syrah in the foreground. Garrigue character. Surprisingly fruity and sweet on the palate, with good tannins beneath blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry. Seductive and well-defined.

Clos d'Ora 2018 - AOP Minervois La Livinière
94/100
Exceptional site overlooking a geological fault, a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Grenache. Rich, powerful, concentrated with a light texture and great depth of plum, cherry and blackberry. Concentrated and soft at the same time, with no rough edges. It's just a baby, but it's already very approachable.