Château l’Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge 2018 – Gérard Bertrand

Only the highest quality fruit was used in the Château l’Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge Gérard Bertrand cuvée . The grapes were sorted, destemmed and transferred to temperature controlled vats. Each variety was vinified separately with natural yeasts and maceration lasting between 20 to 25 days. At the end of winter, the wines of Château l’Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge Gérard Bertrand were racked to new 225 litre casks where they spent 12 to 16 months, with fine bâtonnage from time to time. Only the best barrels were selected and blended for this wine.

Situated on the coast, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Château l’Hospitalet’s vineyard benefits from exceptional climatic conditions. The heat of the Mediterranean sun is tempered by the refreshing sea breezes resulting in a gradual maturation allowing for a great aromatic expression and smoother tannins. Two types of soils contribute to the complexity and the elegance of this wine; the marly and chalky Gargasien soil at the foot of the cliff is rich in fossils and provides excellent water retention properties, nourishing the vines throughout the warm summer despite the lack of summer rains. The red Mediterranean Barremien soil is formed on blueish grey compact limestone amidst the scrub, which encourages the vines to produce rich and concentrated fruit. The fruit is manually harvested at optimal ripeness based on daily tastings and polyphenolic analysis. The fruit is transported to the winery within an hour.