Gérard Bertrand : Château La Sauvageonne "Grand Vin" 2021

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for Château La Sauvageonne "Grand Vin" 2021 by Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays an intense ruby-red color with characteristic brick-like highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals wonderful aromatic complexity, with notes of Mediterranean garrigue reminiscent of thyme, rosemary and lavender. Aromas of ripe dark fruit mingle with nuances of blackberry, black cherry and crushed raspberry. Spicy touches of gingerbread, along with tertiary notes of dried mushroom and leather, add an extra dimension to the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine stands out for its remarkable balance between power and elegance. Silky, refined tannins structure the palate without harshness. The juicy, flavorful core reveals concentrated dark-fruit flavors, tempered by a refreshing acidity that brings lift. A velvety texture carries through to a long, complex finish, marked by mineral and earthy notes that reflect the volcanic and schistous origin of the terroir. The aromatic persistence lingers with hints of dark fruit, sweet spices and saline minerality.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled red meats, notably an Aubrac beef steak. It also goes beautifully with aged Larzac sheep’s-milk cheeses, creating harmony between products from the same terroir. Game meats such as wild boar, roasted lamb preparations, and Mediterranean dishes featuring garrigue herbs also make excellent matches. Grilled vegetables with aromatic herbs or a traditional ratatouille will highlight the wine’s aromas.

Serving and cellaring

Château La Sauvageonne "Grand Vin" 2021 can be enjoyed now, but also offers cellaring potential through around 2031 under good storage conditions.

A biodynamic red from Terrasses du Larzac with a wild, mineral character

The estate

Gérard Bertrand has established himself as the world’s leading producer of certified biodynamic wines. At the helm of a wine empire spanning seventeen estates representing around 930 hectares in Languedoc-Roussillon, he acquired Château La Sauvageonne in 2011. A former professional rugby player who became a winemaker after his father’s death in 1987, Gérard Bertrand founded his company in 1992 with the ambition of revealing the potential of the terroirs of southern France. A pioneer of biodynamics since 2002, he converted his entire wine estate to these principles, achieving DEMETER certification for over 60% of his vineyards. His philosophy combines viticultural excellence, environmental sustainability and the Mediterranean art of living, positioning Languedoc among the prestigious wine regions.

The vineyard

Château La Sauvageonne’s vineyard covers 9.6 hectares in the Terrasses du Larzac appellation, north of Languedoc. Located between 150 and 350 meters above sea level on the foothills of the Larzac plateau, the southern extension of the Central Massif, the estate benefits from an exceptional terroir. The soils display a complex geological mosaic: to the south, iron-rich red soils known locally as "ruffes", derived from weathered volcanic basalt, provide excellent drainage; to the north, phonolitic schists and sandstones lend a distinctive mineral signature. This pedological diversity rests on a clay subsoil that regulates water supply. The altitude creates significant temperature swings between day and night, encouraging phenolic ripening while preserving aromatic freshness. Converted to biodynamics as early as 2012, the vineyard obtained DEMETER certification in 2015. The wild, unspoiled environment, with its natural biodiversity including wild boar and olive trees, reflects the ecological balance sought by Gérard Bertrand.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Languedoc was marked by contrasting weather conditions. After a mild winter and autumn rains that replenished water reserves, the growing cycle unfolded under close monitoring. Summer brought moderate water stress to the vines, interrupted by timely rains in September that restarted phenolic ripening. This alternation between constraint and relief enabled optimal concentration of aromas and the development of complex tannins, while avoiding over-ripe character. Harvest took place in October under favorable conditions, allowing grapes to be picked at ideal phenolic maturity with a fine balance between sugars, acidity and aromatic compounds.

Winemaking and aging

Château La Sauvageonne "Grand Vin" 2021 is crafted through a meticulous approach that respects biodynamic principles. Hand harvesting allows rigorous selection of berries at optimal ripeness. After strict sorting, the grapes are destemmed, then vinified plot by plot and grape variety by grape variety in temperature-controlled vats. Maceration lasts twenty to twenty-five days, encouraging gentle, gradual extraction of tannins, color and aromas. Pump-overs are carried out with care to optimize tannin polymerization without excessive extraction. After malolactic fermentation, the different lots are aged separately in new French oak barrels for twelve to sixteen months. The final blend is assembled according to biodynamic principles, taking lunar cycles into account, before bottling without excessive filtration in order to preserve the wine’s integrity.

Grape varieties

Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre