Gérard Bertrand : Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2021 by Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a bright, deep ruby hue, reflecting the richness of the blend and the grapes’ optimal ripeness.

Nose

Intense and complex, the nose opens with aromas of red berries, notably strawberry, accompanied by notes of spice and garrigue. Subtle nuances evoke the Mediterranean freshness characteristic of the terroir of La Clape.

Palate

On the palate, Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2021 charms with its finesse and remarkable minerality. Silky tannins and vibrant fruit-driven freshness are in perfect harmony, while subtle iodine notes recall the proximity of the Mediterranean. The persistent finish reveals delicious aromas of acacia honey.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with full-flavored meats such as lamb or duck breast. It also matches elegantly with dishes in sauce and aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16°C and 18°C.

A great biodynamic wine from La Clape with Mediterranean notes

The estate

Gérard Bertrand now embodies the global benchmark for biodynamic viticulture. A former rugby captain who became a visionary winemaker, he took over the family’s 60-hectare estate in 1987 before gradually building a collection of 17 estates spanning 930 hectares in Occitanie. A pioneer of biodynamics since 2002, Gérard Bertrand heads the world’s largest Demeter-certified vineyard. His wines are now sold in 180 countries and the group employs 415 people. Château L'Hospitalet, acquired in 2002, serves as the group’s headquarters and has become a major wine-tourism destination combining wine, gastronomy, and Mediterranean culture.

The vineyard

The Château L'Hospitalet vineyard spans 82 hectares in the La Clape massif, a former Mediterranean island situated at around 100 meters above sea level along the coastline. The vines grow on marl and limestone soils that store daytime heat and gradually release it at night. The Mediterranean climate, moderated by the nearby sea, provides exceptional sunshine, ideal for the grapes’ slow, balanced ripening. Farmed biodynamically and Demeter-certified since 2017, this Languedoc estate applies the most demanding principles of biodynamic agriculture.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" 2021 are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. Each grape variety is vinified separately before blending. After gentle pneumatic pressing and light settling, alcoholic fermentation takes place in barrels at controlled temperatures to preserve aromatic freshness. Aging lasts 12 to 16 months in new French oak barrels, with regular lees stirring for around two months to enhance the wine’s complexity. Bottling takes place after light fining.

Grape varieties

Syrah (majority), Grenache, Mourvèdre