Gérard Bertrand : Château La Sauvageonne "Grand Vin" 2011

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château La Sauvageonne "Grand Vin" 2011 from Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a deep, intense ruby-red color, lifted by brick-red highlights at the rim.

Nose

The nose opens with expressive garrigue aromas, combining wild thyme and rosemary, alongside notes of ripe black fruit and jam. With aeration, the bouquet reveals nuances of gingerbread and subtle mineral touches that evoke the volcanic character of the terroir.

Palate

On the palate, the attack is lively and well-balanced, offering bright fruit lifted by spicy notes. The mid-palate reveals an elegant, refined tannin structure, reflecting well-controlled extraction. The finish lingers at length with aromas of garrigue and spice, underlined by a minerality that recalls the volcanic soils from which this wine originates.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine pairs ideally with grilled red meats, notably Aubrac beef. It also matches perfectly with game preparations, Mediterranean dishes with herbs and olive oil, as well as aged hard cheeses.

Serving and storage

Château La Sauvageonne "Grand Vin" 2011 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Aeration beforehand or decanting allows the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity. This wine can improve in the cellar until around 2026.

A great red wine from Languedoc born of an exceptional volcanic terroir

The estate

Founded in 1992, the Gérard Bertrand House has established itself today as a major player in Languedoc viticulture. A former rugby champion who turned to wine after his father’s death in 1987, Gérard Bertrand now leads a wine-growing empire comprising seventeen estates spread across around 900 hectares throughout the south of France. A pioneer of large-scale biodynamics, he has converted all of his properties to these principles, earning Demeter certification across 830 hectares. This visionary approach led to his being named "World’s Best Winemaker" in 2023 by The Drinks Business.

The vineyard

Château La Sauvageonne, acquired by Gérard Bertrand in 2011, is located at the heart of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation, in northern Hérault, near Lake Salagou. The vineyard benefits from an exceptional volcanic terroir made up of three soil types: the famous "Ruffes" with their reddish volcanic hues, sandstone, and phonolitic schists. This geological diversity makes it possible to match each grape variety to the soil that suits it best. The climate is marked by significant temperature differences between day and night, encouraging slow, gradual ripening of the grapes while preserving their aromatic freshness. Surrounded by oak and chestnut forests, the estate evolves in a protected environment rich in biodiversity. Converted to biodynamics as early as 2012, the vineyard obtained Demeter certification in 2015.

The vintage

The 2011 vintage in the Languedoc is considered a very fine year. The climatic conditions allowed for progressive, balanced ripening of the grapes, without excessive water stress, resulting in wines that combine ripeness and freshness.

Winemaking and aging

Following hand harvesting and rigorous sorting of the grapes, Château La Sauvageonne "Grand Vin" 2011 underwent maceration for twenty to twenty-five days in temperature-controlled vats. This extended extraction helped achieve excellent concentration of color, tannins, and aromas while preserving the wine’s elegance. Aging took place over twelve to sixteen months in 225-liter French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak, lending structure and complexity while respecting the expression of the fruit.

Grape varieties

Grenache (predominant), Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan.