Gérard Bertrand : Aigle Royal 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Aigle Royal 2023 by Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Colour
The glass reveals a luminous, bright yellow hue of great clarity, reminiscent of light amber with almost crystalline glints.

Nose
Intense and generous upon aeration, the bouquet first reveals fruity aromas of pineapple, apricot, vine peach and almond. These intertwine with delicate touches of white flowers, enhanced by subtle toasted and vanilla notes from its time in oak.

Palate
Tender and expressive, the palate offers a supple texture that favours finesse. Perfectly balanced, it extends into a long finish with smooth, delicately spiced tannins.

Food and wine pairing

Highly versatile at the table, this white wine pairs beautifully with a seafood platter, shellfish or oysters, whose salinity it enhances. It also pairs perfectly with grilled fish or fish in rich sauce, white meats such as roast poultry, as well as hard cheeses or goat's cheese. It can equally be enjoyed on its own, as an aperitif.

Service and storage

Bottled without filtration, this 2023 vintage is a young wine intended to be enjoyed for its immediate freshness, while retaining a fine capacity to evolve in bottle over the coming months.

The elegance and minerality of a great white wine from the Languedoc

The estate

The entrepreneurial story of Gérard Bertrand officially began in 1992 with the creation of his trading company, although his introduction to winemaking dates back to his childhood. Now at the helm of the company, he has built a major wine empire in the Languedoc. The group spans around 325 hectares across sixteen estates. A pioneer and visionary, the current owner committed his land to biodynamics as early as 2002. The estate stands out for its deep environmental commitment and its determination to elevate southern French terroirs to the pinnacle of world gastronomy.

The vineyard

Domaine de l'Aigle covers 47 hectares within the Limoux appellation, in the Upper Aude Valley. Located at the foot of the Pyrenees, this terroir rises to between 250 and 500 metres in altitude, offering unique mountain conditions. The climate, at the crossroads of oceanic, continental and Mediterranean influences, is swept by the Cers and Marin winds, ensuring a wide thermal range. The vines, trained in high-density espalier, thrive on soils composed of clay, limestone and tuffeau. The entire vineyard is certified organic and biodynamic.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest is carried out by hand in small crates at optimal ripeness. The whole bunches undergo gentle pneumatic pressing, followed by cold static settling. Alcoholic fermentation begins in tanks before a mid-process transfer to new barrels. Malolactic fermentation is then adapted as needed. Aging continues in oak for seven to eight months with regular lees stirring to enrich the texture. After light fining, the wine is bottled without filtration, then rests in the cellar for several months before release.

Grape variety

Chardonnay.