The tasting notes for gérard bertrand wines by jamie goode

Jamie Goode, British wine specialist, joined Château l'Hospitalet last weekend to attend the 2021 Harvest Festival. The wine columnist for the Sunday Express has just published his tasting notes from the Masterclass delivered by Gérard Bertrand and Andreas Larsson, the world's best sommelier.

Discover his tasting notes and scores:

Clos du Temple 2020 - AOP Languedoc Cabrières
93/100
Gérard Bertrand believes this wine has a 15-year ageing potential. A blend of red grape varieties and Viognier, it is a structured wine with a broadly fruity and spiced palette. A fine balance and sense of harmony, allied 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, the natural home of Chardonnay, on a vineyard situated at 503 m altitude. This is a powerful, linear and spiced wine with rich notes of pear and peach, as well as very beautiful spiced aromas. A blend of richness and finesse.

Château l'Hospitalet Grand Vin White 2019 - AOP La Clape
94/100
A blend of Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Viognier. Fermented in tank then transferred to oak barrels. Notes of grapefruit and grape with spiced touches. A deep and characterful wine (wild herbs and a saline touch). Beautiful fruit, ripe and generous, with restraint and refinement.

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

Château La Sauvageonne Grand Vin White 2020 - AOP Languedoc
92/100
A wine from the Terrasses du Larzac, a blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier and Roussanne. An estate at 350 m altitude. Fermented in tank, then partially transferred to barrels. Herbs, spices and apricot on the nose, with beautiful detail. The palate has breadth and beautiful volume. Rich notes of pear and a hint of honey.

Cigalus White 2019 - IGP Aude Hauterive
93/100
Corbières estate. Partial fermentation in new oak. Powerful, broad and concentrated with notes of coconut and vanilla amid citrus and peach notes. Well defined with a beautiful personality. The finish is very lively with a hint 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 notes of cherries, plums and very beautiful raspberry notes. Fresh, with a touch of tangy cherry on the finish. Elegant, fruity and delicate.

Château La Sauvageonne Grand Vin Red 2018 – AOP Terrasses du Larzac
94/100
In 2011, Syrah was initially the driving force of the blend, supported by Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Grenache took over in 2015 to produce an elegant wine, with notes of cherries and fresh, sweet plums. There are also some notes of sweet berries. Concentrated yet refined, with notes of olive and spices on the finish. Rich and balanced with a beautiful direction.

Cigalus Red 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: Cabernet Sauvignon makes its presence felt with an earthy grip, then comes the elegance of the oak. Beautiful texture with great freshness and a fine structure: a refined wine in the Bordeaux style.

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

Château La Soujeole Grand Vin Red 2017 - AOP Malepère
95/100
An appellation from the western Languedoc, with an Atlantic influence. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Very beautiful freshness. Aromatic, pure and concentrated, with gentle notes of blackcurrant and some chalky notes. A touch of salinity. I love the freshness and finesse of this wine: it is luminous with a beautiful aromatic character (dried meat and red fruits). To keep.

Château l'Hospitalet Grand Vin Red 2019 – AOP La Clape
95/100
Chalky soils dominate this vineyard with its marine influence. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Aged for 12 to 16 months in oak barrels. Rich and magnificent nose: flowers, pepper, olives, meat with Syrah at the forefront. The character of the Garrigue. A surprisingly fruity and sweet palate with good tannins beneath the blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry. Seductive and well defined.

Clos d'Ora 2018 – AOP Minervois La Livinière
94/100
An 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, without any roughness. It is still a baby, but already very approachable.