Gérard Bertrand : Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Kongo 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Kongo 2021 by Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a bright, deep ruby hue with remarkable luminosity.

Nose

The nose opens with spicy aromas and fresh red fruits, notably strawberry. With aeration, it gains complexity, revealing notes of black cherry, blackberry, and redcurrant. Hints of Mediterranean garrigue emerge through nuances of shrubby sage, dried thyme, and rosehip. Aging in French oak brings subtle notes of sweet vanilla and toasted almond.

Palate

On the palate, concentrated red fruits lead the way, supported by darker fruits such as blueberry and blackcurrant. The texture is fleshy and harmonious, with silky, finely structured tannins. The whole is velvety in feel, lifted by notes of dried rosemary and a distinctive saline touch from La Clape’s limestone terroir. The 15% alcohol is perfectly integrated, adding roundness without ever dominating. The finish is long and lingering, persisting for several minutes with fruity and mineral nuances.

Food and wine pairings

Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Kongo 2021 pairs harmoniously with a grilled lamb chop, game birds, or aged cheeses. Its aromatic profile, evocative of Mediterranean garrigue, also shows a fine affinity with dishes featuring aromatic herbs and olive oil.

Serving and cellaring

Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Kongo 2021 is best served between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for one hour will allow the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity.

An outstanding biodynamic red from Languedoc by Gérard Bertrand

The estate

Gérard Bertrand now oversees the world’s largest certified biodynamic vineyard. Founded in 1992, the group spans seventeen estates representing around 850 hectares of vines in Languedoc-Roussillon, all farmed according to Demeter-certified biodynamic principles. A former international rugby player who turned to winegrowing after the death of his father Georges in 1987, Gérard Bertrand acquired Château l'Hospitalet in 2002, transforming this 13th-century property into a center of excellence for winegrowing and wine tourism. A pioneer of biodynamics since 2002, he has received numerous international distinctions, including the title of Best Winemaker in the World in 2023. His wines are sold in 180 countries and embody a philosophy rooted in respect for ecosystems and biodiversity.

The vineyard

Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Kongo 2021 comes from selected parcels of old vines on the La Clape massif, a former island remnant classified as a nature reserve. This exceptional terroir is defined by very bright white limestone soils that amplify the sun’s resonance and give the wine its distinctive minerality. Set 100 meters above the Mediterranean, the vineyard enjoys a sunny Mediterranean climate with maritime influences that bring freshness and salinity. The vines are cultivated under strict biodynamic principles, respecting lunar cycles and planetary positions. The massif’s varying altitude creates remarkable microclimatic diversity, while the surrounding garrigue infuses the grapes with characteristic aromas.

A unique artistic collaboration with Cyril Kongo

This Art Collection 2021 cuvée is the result of a collaboration with French urban artist Cyril Kongo, a leading figure in the global graffiti scene since 1987. The "Back to Cosmos" series explores the duality between earthly grounding and the pull toward cosmic mysteries, creating a natural synchronicity with Gérard Bertrand’s biodynamic philosophy, which links lunar cycles to wine quality. This limited edition turns each bottle into a collectible work of art, available in a single-bottle wooden case or in cartons of three or six bottles.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for Château L'Hospitalet "Grand Vin" Art Collection Kongo 2021 are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and quickly transported to the winery. Each grape variety is vinified separately in temperature-controlled tanks, with a maceration of twenty to twenty-five days. In February, according to the biodynamic lunar calendar, the wines are transferred into new 225-liter French oak barrels for aging lasting twelve to sixteen months. During this period, regular stirring enriches the wine’s roundness and complexity. The final blend is made by selecting the best barrels of each variety. Bottling takes place on a fruit day in the biodynamic lunar calendar, in keeping with the principles of biodynamic viticulture.

Grape varieties

This Languedoc wine is a blend of Syrah (68%), Grenache (22%), and Mourvèdre (10%).