Gérard Bertrand : Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Robert Combas 2020

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Robert Combas 2020 by Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a brilliant ruby hue highlighted by subtle purple tints.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic intensity, dominated by spicy notes and red fruits, notably strawberry. Aromas of black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry mingle with nuances of sweet spices, Mediterranean garrigue, vanilla and cocoa inherited from barrel aging. With aeration, hints of licorice and black pepper gradually emerge.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its remarkable balance and natural elegance. The tannins are silky and refined, offering a velvety texture. Its generous body unfolds juicy flavors of fully ripe black fruits while preserving lovely freshness. The long, complex finish lingers with persistent notes of licorice and pepper.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine is an ideal match for a roasted rack of lamb, feathered game meats, or aged cheeses. Mediterranean dishes featuring aromatic herbs also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Robert Combas 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now, but it also has cellaring potential through around 2032.

A great wine from La Clape combining winemaking excellence and artistic creation

The estate

Gérard Bertrand now runs an exceptional wine estate founded in 1992 in Languedoc-Roussillon. Heir to a family tradition dating back to 1920, this former professional rugby player has built a winegrowing empire spanning 930 hectares farmed biodynamically, including 830 hectares certified Demeter. Named Master Winemaker of the Year 2023 by The Drinks Business and a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 2022, Gérard Bertrand has profoundly transformed the perception of Languedoc wines on the international stage. His commitment to biodynamics, initiated in 2002, and his cultural vision integrating contemporary art and gastronomy make him a pioneer of modern viticulture.

The vineyard

The vineyard of Château L'Hospitalet stretches over 82 hectares in the heart of the protected natural park of La Clape, between Narbonne and the Mediterranean, at around one hundred meters above sea level. This exceptional terroir benefits from a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with optimal sunshine. The soils are composed of Gargasian calcareous marls rich in marine fossils at the foot of the cliffs, ensuring a steady water supply, and Barremian Mediterranean red soils on compact limestone. The limestone stores daytime heat and releases it at night to the vines, promoting optimal ripening. The nearby sea moderates temperature variations, while the altitude ensures good air circulation.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage benefited from favorable climatic conditions, enabling harmonious grape ripening and the optimal expression of the La Clape terroir.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Robert Combas 2020 are harvested by hand and transported in small containers to the cellar within an hour of picking. After rigorous sorting and destemming, each grape variety is vinified separately in temperature-controlled vats. Maceration lasts twenty to twenty-five days to extract color, tannins and aromatic compounds. At the end of winter, the wines are transferred to new 225-liter French oak barrels for aging over twelve to sixteen months. During this period, the fine lees are regularly stirred back into suspension through bâtonnage. The final blend is the result of a meticulous selection of the finest barrels from each variety.

Grape varieties

Syrah (70%), Grenache (20%) and Mourvèdre (10%).