Gérard Bertrand : Clos du Temple 2022

A weighty, modern-styled version, with white peach, zesty citrus and tropical fruit encased in sweet oak spices and mineral depth. Round and long on the creamy palate, with tangerine-laced acidity driving energy while vanilla adds warmth. Built to age, this wine's oak influence will integrate with time in bottle, so don't be afraid to cellar this. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Viognier and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2027. 3,500 cases made, 750 cases imported.

Still very youthful, and it needed to be decanted to bring out the richness. Similar to the 2021 with fresh mint, dill and creamy white chocolate aromas plus much more evident oak. On the palate the toasty oak is tight and fine grained giving some tautness to the rich creamy fruit, white peaches, melons, a touch of mango, sweet oranges and perfumed Sorrento lemons. There is a pretty freshness with some bitter almond and orange pith on the finish, but less weighty concentration and missing the floral notes found on earlier vintages, possibly due to having the smallest percentage of Viognier and Cinsault. Cinsault 41%, Grenache 38%, Syrah 11%, Mourvèdre 7%, Viognier 3%.

A perfumed nose of spiced apples, pears, melon, dried thyme, potpourri and some bark. It’s medium- to full-bodied with velvety texture and bright acidity. It’s harmonious and vibrant with volume. Ample and slightly peppery bringing vitality and length towards the focused, mineral, long finish. Cinsault, grenache, syrah, mourvedre and a touch of viognier. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

Beautiful balance between aromatic power — red and white fruits — and persistent finesse. Long finish with small notes of white pepper.

The nose is beautifully elegant, delicate and fine, with a lovely guideline/fil directeur. It reveals notes of yellow peach, fleshy yellow apple and, more lightly, medlar, joined by touches of apricot blossom, a subtle hint of fresh butter and a very discreet almost sweet-spice note in the background. The palate is beautifully juicy, fruity, mineral and balanced, offering a tangy backbone, tension, precision, lovely delicacy, depth, creaminess, an airy feel, fleshiness and a certain brightness of fruit. Elegance, a lovely texture and a sense of detail. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of medlar and yellow peach and, more lightly, juicy/fleshy yellow stone fruits, combined with buttery, toasty touches and an almost vanilla and hazelnut hint on the finish. Good length. All finesse and subtlety, despite a certain small power.