Château Laville Bertrou Grand Vin red AOP La Livinière 2023 – 75cl

The plots of Château Laville Bertrou are located on an exceptional terroir within the highly regarded Minervois-la-Livinière appellation. This outstanding terroir, acquired by Gérard Bertrand in 1997, allows the production of powerful and characterful wines, in the image of the great wines of the Languedoc. Benefiting from a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with a temperate winter variant, the vines face due south on the heights of the village of La Livinière, at approximately 120 m above sea level.

Château Laville Bertrou Grand Vin is a selection of the finest plots of the Estate. The soil is made up of a mosaic of stripped marls, combined with calcareous sandstone and compact limestone dating from the Eocene (Tertiary era). This type of terroir naturally limits the yield of each vine. The deep rooting of the vines allows them to withstand low rainfall and water stress. The abundant sunshine encourages the slow ripening of the grapes.

Best served at 16°C, with grilled red meats, game or aged cheeses.

The vineyard receives careful attention in order to obtain grapes of impeccable quality — ripe, healthy and concentrated. The planting density is high, from 5,000 to 6,500 vines per hectare for the most recent plantings. The vines are trained on high trellises to ensure large leaf surfaces, and yields are kept to around 30 hl/ha. The grapes are harvested by hand, at perfect ripeness, and transported to the cellar in harvest bins. The different grape varieties are vinified separately, respecting their individual characteristics. The Carignan is vatted and vinified as whole bunches. For the Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, after destemming, vinification and maceration are traditional with temperature control. Light pump-overs are carried out on the basis of daily tastings of the musts in order to express the tannins and the aromatic signature of the wine to their full potential. After malolactic fermentation, the blend is assembled. The wine is aged mostly in barrels and the remainder in vats for a period of 12 months. A light filtration is carried out before bottling.

The robe is a beautiful garnet colour, intense and brilliant. From the nose emerges a complex aromatic bouquet, where blackberry, blueberry and cherry mingle with pleasant notes of liquorice and undergrowth. The attack on the palate is ample, fluid and smooth. Present, yet round and integrated, the tannins support delicate aromas of small red and black fruits. Fruity and balanced, the finish lingers on the palate with subtle woody notes.

Keep away from sunlight and at a constant temperature