Gérard Bertrand : Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2022 Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Colour
The glass reveals a brilliant ruby colour, deep and tinged with garnet highlights.

Nose
Intense and remarkably deep, the bouquet reveals fine aromatic complexity. It exudes aromas of red fruits, notably strawberry, and spices, intermingled with notes of black fruits, dried flowers and garrigue.

Palate
Full-bodied and velvety, the attack seduces with its fruity freshness and its structure of fine, silky tannins. The whole is particularly harmonious, unfolding into a long, lingering finish.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with characterful meats such as a rack or leg of lamb roasted with herbs, as well as game birds. It will also perfectly complement regional cuisine with Mediterranean accents or matured cheeses such as an aged Comté or a sheep's milk tomme.

Service and storage

For optimal enjoyment of the Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2022, it is recommended to serve it between 16 and 18°C after light aeration. This wine can be enjoyed now for its vibrant fruit, but also has the structure needed to develop in the cellar until at least 2032.

Other characteristics

This wine is certified organic and biodynamic, while also adhering to the Terra Vitis sustainable viticulture approach. Its alcohol content is 15%.

The richness and minerality of a red wine from the La Clape appellation

The estate

The Bertrand family's winemaking history took a decisive turn in 1987 when Gérard Bertrand, then a rugby player, took over the family estate following his father's death. Acquired in 2002, Château L'Hospitalet became the jewel of his portfolio. Today, Gérard Bertrand still runs this estate as part of an empire of 17 properties spanning more than 850 hectares in the Languedoc. A pioneer in environmental matters, he is recognised as the world's largest producer of biodynamic-certified wines, elevating the terroirs of the south to excellence.

The vineyard

Located at the heart of the La Clape appellation, the vineyard of Château L'Hospitalet spans 70 hectares within a protected natural park overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The vines, cultivated biodynamically, flourish at around a hundred metres of altitude on two distinct soil types: fossil-rich limestone marls at the foot of the cliff, and Mediterranean red earth resting on a grey-blue limestone bedrock. This unique terroir, bathed in a very sunny climate and cooled by sea breezes and the scents of the surrounding garrigue, gives the wine remarkable freshness and minerality.

The vintage

2022 benefited from particularly favourable weather conditions. This mild climate allowed the berries to reach optimal ripeness while maintaining perfect balance.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are harvested by hand in small crates. After careful sorting and destemming, each grape variety is vinified separately in temperature-controlled tanks, with a maceration period of 20 to 25 days. Following winter malolactic fermentation, the wine is transferred entirely into new French oak barrels for ageing of 12 to 16 months, with regular lees stirring. The final blend of Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2022 is made from the finest barrels, before bottling takes place on a fruit day according to the biodynamic lunar calendar.

Grape varieties

This blend is composed of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre.