Tasting notes of Gérard Bertrand wines by Jamie Goode

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 from the Masterclass delivered by Gérard Bertrand and Andreas Larsson, the world's best sommelier.

Discover his tasting comments and his notes:

Clos du Temple 2020 - AOP Languedoc Cabrières
93/100
Gérard Bertrand considers that this wine has a 15-year aging potential. A blend of red grape varieties and Viognier, it is a structured wine with a largely fruity and spicy palette. A beautiful balance and a sense of harmony, combined with depth. The finely spicy common 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
Limoux region, Chardonnay's favorite area on a vineyard located at an altitude of 503 m. This is a powerful, linear and spicy wine with rich notes of pear and peach, as well as very beautiful 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 raisin with spicy touches. A deep and characterful wine (wild herbs and a touch of salt). A beautiful, mature fruit and generous, with restraint and refinement.

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

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

Cigalus White 2019 - IGP Aude Hauterive
93/100
Domaine des Corbières. Partial fermentation in new oak. Powerful, broad and concentrated with notes of coconut and vanilla amidst citrus and peach notes. Well defined with a beautiful personality. The finish is very lively 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 notes of cherries, plums and very nice notes of raspberry. 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 of the blend, supported by Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. The Grenache took over in 2015 to produce an elegant wine with notes of fresh, sweet cherries and plums. There are also some sweet berry notes. Concentrated but very fine with notes of olive and spice on the finish. Rich and balanced with a beautiful direction.

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 an earthy grip, then comes the elegance of the oak. Beautiful texture with great freshness and a good frame: a refined wine in the Bordeaux style.

Château de Villemajou Grand Vin Rouge 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 ripe cherries and plums with charming spices (olive, meat and a touch of pepper). Very elegant and refined with a beautiful evolution in the mouth.

Château La Soujeole Grand Vin Rouge 2017 - AOP Malepère
95/100
Appellation from the west of Languedoc, with an Atlantic influence . Blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Very nice freshness. Aromatic, pure and concentrated, with sweet notes of blackcurrant and some chalky notes. Touch of salinity. I like the freshness and finesse of this wine: it is bright with a nice aromatic character (dried meat and red fruits). To keep.

Château l’Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge 2019 – AOP La Clape
95/100
Limestone soils dominate this vineyard with a marine influence. Blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Aged 12 to 16 months in oak barrels. Rich and beautiful nose: flowers, pepper, olives, meat with Syrah in the foreground. Character of the Garrigue. Surprisingly fruity and sweet on the palate with good tannins under the cassis, blackberry and black cherry. Seductive and well defined.

Clos d'Ora 2018 – AOP Minervois La Livinière
94/100
Exceptional site overlooking a geological fault, blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Grenache. Rich, powerful, concentrated with a light texture and great depth of plum, cherry and blackberry. Concentrated and sweet at the same time, without any roughness. It's only a baby, but it's already very accessible.