Gérard Bertrand : Aigle Royal 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Aigle Royal 2022 Gérard Bertrand

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a bright, luminous yellow hue with a lovely pale tone.

Nose
Intense and evolving with aeration, the bouquet opens onto aromas of tropical and stone fruits (pineapple, vine peach, apricot), mingled with delicate notes of white flowers and almond. Subtle toasted touches perfect this elegant ensemble.

Palate
The attack is structured and dry. The palate offers a superb balance between richness, freshness and finesse, with a rounded texture and subtle buttery and hazelnut notes. The finish, remarkably long, stands out with an intense saline minerality, almost menthol-like, ending on hints of white pepper and frangipane.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with delicate crustaceans such as poached langoustines, fresh oysters or white fish. It also perfectly accompanies poultry in a light cream sauce, soft-rind cheeses, and proves ideal as an aperitif.

Service and storage

To reveal the full aromatic complexity of the Aigle Royal 2022, prior aeration is recommended to allow the wine to fully express itself.

Other characteristics

This dry wine, with no residual sugar, has an alcohol content of 14%. It benefits from multiple environmental certifications: Demeter (biodynamic), Agriculture Biologique (AB), Vegan and Bee Friendly.

The freshness and minerality of a white wine from Limoux

The estate

Founded in 1992, the Société des Vins Gérard Bertrand is a major reference in the Languedoc. Led by Gérard Bertrand, a former rugby player and pioneer of sustainable viticulture, the estate spans approximately 1,000 hectares across 17 domaines. A visionary, the current owner initiated the conversion to biodynamics as early as 2002, making his company today the largest Demeter-certified vineyard in the world. The estate stands out for its deep commitment to biodiversity and the authentic expression of terroirs in the south of France.

The vineyard

Acquired in 2007, the Domaine de l'Aigle spans 31 hectares within the Limoux appellation. Located at over 500 metres in altitude at the foot of the Roquetaillade cliff, the vines benefit from full southern exposure and a particularly cool microclimate, at the crossroads of oceanic and semi-continental influences. This exceptional terroir rests on soils alternating between clay, sand and a marine limestone substrate, giving the grapes a unique minerality. The entire vineyard is cultivated according to the principles of biodynamics.

The vintage

2022 offered particularly favourable climatic conditions in the Languedoc. The altitude of the vineyard allowed for a long ripening period thanks to a fine thermal amplitude between warm days and cool nights. Rainfall, in line with local averages, ensured ideal hydration without excess, guaranteeing perfect sanitary conditions and optimal ripening of the berries.

Winemaking and aging

After gentle pressing and settling, the alcoholic fermentation of the Aigle Royal 2022 takes place in temperature-controlled tanks to preserve aromatic purity. A complete malolactic fermentation is then carried out. Aging continues partially in oak barrels for seven to eight months, until the spring equinox, accompanied by regular lees stirring. Finally, the wine undergoes a light fining before being bottled without filtration.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.