Gérard Bertrand : Cigalus 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of Gérard Bertrand's Cigalus Blanc 2023

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a brilliant golden-yellow hue, perfectly clear and bright.

Nose
Intense and highly complex, the aromatic bouquet opens with notes of ripe citrus such as grapefruit, white peach and flowers. It then evolves towards subtle hints of honey, dried fruits, walnuts and toasted almond, all underpinned by a lovely minerality.

Palate
Full-bodied, silky and generous, the palate offers rich flavours of exotic fruit, butter, vanilla and toast. A slightly saline tension balances this profile in the mid-palate, leading to an elegant finish of remarkable length.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs beautifully with pan-seared scallops, white fish in a creamy sauce, or rich cheeses such as tomme. It is also very enjoyable on its own, as an aperitif, accompanied by a few olives.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate all the nuances of this Cigalus Blanc 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of between 14 and 14.5%. It is also certified organic (AB) and biodynamic (Demeter).

The pure, biodynamic expression of a great white wine from the Languedoc

The estate

Founded in 1992 by former rugby player Gérard Bertrand, the eponymous company has become a true reference in the Languedoc. Having inherited the family estate in 1987, Gérard Bertrand has built a group that now includes seventeen properties spread across the most iconic terroirs of southern France. Still at the helm of the estate as its visionary leader, supported by CEO Michael Van Duijn, he stands out for his pioneering commitment to biodynamics, propelling his wines to international acclaim.

The vineyard

Acquired in 1995, Domaine de Cigalus spans 75 hectares at the heart of the Corbières, on the cool terroir of Fontfroide. The vines, cultivated biodynamically with low yields, thrive on complex soils composed of highly draining sands, clay and a subsoil of limestone sandstone dating back to the secondary era. This unique terroir, classified as IGP Pays d'Oc, benefits from a high planting density of over 5,000 vines per hectare, promoting concentration and outstanding grape quality.

The vintage

2023 was marked by a warm, sunny Mediterranean climate of a semi-arid type, tempered by a few milder spring variations. These weather conditions favoured early and optimal ripening of the berries.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for this Cigalus Blanc 2023 are harvested by hand, variety by variety, at optimal phenolic ripeness. After immediate pneumatic pressing and light settling, 70% of the juice is fermented in new French oak barrels, while the remaining 30% is vinified in stainless steel tanks. Only the Chardonnay undergoes malolactic fermentation. Aging in wood continues for seven to eight months, until the spring equinox, with regular lees stirring. The wine is then lightly fined before bottling.

Grape varieties

Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc