Gérard Bertrand : Clos d'Ora 2015

Tasting notes and advice for Clos d'Ora 2015 by Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep, brilliant ruby-red color.

Nose

The nose reveals wonderful aromatic complexity, with intense notes of black and red fruits. Spicy nuances of pepper and nutmeg mingle with floral touches of violet and peony. Hints of leather complete this elegant bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its power and elegance. The tannic structure, remarkably silky and finely textured, envelops the palate with breadth. The finish, of exceptional length, lingers on peppery notes and a lovely, savory bitterness.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal match for braised lamb shanks or grilled Aubrac beef. It also pairs perfectly with red meats in sauce, game, or mushroom-based dishes.

Serving and cellaring

Clos d'Ora 2015 benefits from being decanted one hour before serving and served at 17°C. This wine has exceptional aging potential.

An iconic Languedoc wine, powerful and expressive

The estate

Gérard Bertrand is now established as the world’s leading producer of certified biodynamic wines. At the head of an estate of more than 900 hectares spread across seventeen properties in Languedoc-Roussillon, he has transformed this region into an international benchmark for quality wines. Since founding his company in 1995, Gérard Bertrand has never ceased working to reveal the outstanding potential of Languedoc’s terroirs. Recognized as the World’s Best Winegrower in 2023, he embodies a viticulture of excellence founded on respect for nature and the authentic expression of terroir.

The vineyard

Clos d'Ora covers nine hectares in the heart of the Minervois La Livinière appellation, at 220 meters above sea level. The vineyard occupies an exceptional site on a unique geological fault where limestone and marl soils meet. This mosaic of terroirs is home to old carignan and grenache vines, complemented by plantings of syrah and mourvèdre. Farmed entirely biodynamically, the vineyard is worked exclusively with horses, in keeping with natural rhythms and the lunar calendar.

The vintage

The 2015 vintage in Languedoc is characterized by a sunny profile, tempered by a few life-saving rains. A mild winter was followed by a spring conducive to vine growth. The hot, sunny summer, punctuated by welcome rainfall, allowed the grapes to ripen optimally. Harvesting took place in excellent conditions, with cool morning temperatures helping to preserve aromas.

Winemaking and aging

The 2015 Clos d'Ora harvest was carried out by hand, with rigorous selection of the bunches. Each grape variety and each plot were vinified separately in temperature-controlled concrete tanks. The syrah was destemmed before vatting, while the grenache and mourvèdre underwent gentle destemming and a soft maceration. The carignan was vinified as whole clusters. Aging took place over twelve months in French oak barrels, partly new and partly previously used for one wine.

Grape varieties

Syrah, grenache, mourvèdre, carignan.