GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape l'Hospitalet 2003 94 $65 A massive, concentrated red, with a meaty, decadent aroma and loads of dark plum, dark cherry, blackberry and cassis flavors. There's plenty of structure to this wine as well, with medium-grain tannins and a rich, spicy finish. Begs for a fine porterhouse. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2008. 450 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape l'Hospitalitas 2004 93 $65 A powerful, pure-tasting red, with concentrated flavors of cassis, blackberry, licorice and dark plum. Deft winemaking here, with a long, long finish of mineral, spice and hints of smoke. Impressive for its focus and structure. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2014. 402 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape l'Hospitalitas 2005 93 $65 A big, powerful red from the south of France, with concentrated flavors of dark plum, kirsch, dark chocolate and plenty of spice. Ripe and full-bodied, with a long finish of mocha and cocoa powder, backed up by medium-grained tannins. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Drink now through 2014. 500 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Oct 31, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière Le Viala 2003 93 $65 An extracted, exotic style, with sandalwood and olive aromas and layers of gorgeous red and black fruit flavors. Supple tannins are laced with licorice, smoke and bacon fat notes. Finishes with dark chocolate. The Martha's Vineyard of the Minervois? Carignane, Grenache and Syrah. Tempting now. Best from 2006 through 2010. 800 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Vin de Pays d'Oc Cigalus Red 1999 92 $39 Massive, meaty and robust, with sink-your-teeth-into-it flavors of dark plum, cherry and cassis. Loads of spice, chocolate and bacon notes on the long and complex finish. Impressive. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2005. 1,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Mar 31, 2003
GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape Château l'Hospitalet La Reserve 2003 92 $22 A savory spice aroma leads into a full palate of luscious dark cherry, mocha and cardamom flavors that are finely crafted and balanced. This wine has a thick and rich texture and a finish that builds in intensity with espresso and dark chocolate notes. Drink now through 2009. 3,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière Le Viala 1999 91 $49 Rich and ripe, with layers of fruit and spice. A chocolaty aroma is followed up by dense blackberry, dark plum, cassis and blackstrap flavors. Long, caressing finish, with silky tannins and plenty of cardamom and pepper. Drink now through 2005. 800 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: May 15, 2003 GÉRARD BERTRAND Vin de Pays d'Oc Cigalus Red 2005 91 $48 A ripe, powerful red, showing loads of dark plum, blackberry and mint, with plenty of grip. The long finish oozes dark chocolate, with hints of pepper. Drink now through 2012. 2,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Dec 31, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière Le Viala 2005 91 $65 Ripe and concentrated, with extracted flavors of blackberry, kirsch, mocha and dark chocolate. Powerful, with notes of kirsch and cassis on the finish. Needs some time to settle down. Syrah, Grenache and Carignane. Best from 2008 through 2012. 500 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Oct 31, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Corbières La Forge 1999 90 $49 Ripe and concentrated, with mocha java aroma, and loads of dark plum, dark cherry, spice and espresso flavors. A big, powerful and brooding wine that should develop nicely with some bottle age. Impressive. Carignane and Syrah. Best from 2004 through 2007. 700 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: May 15, 2003 GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière Château Laville Bertrou 2003 90 $20 A lithe red, with sandalwood, red plum, raspberry, smoke and leather aromas and flavors. This is balanced and structured, with a lively finish filled with pepper and spice. Best from 2006 through 2008. 7,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005
GÉRARD BERTRAND Corbières La Forge 2005 90 $65 A full-bore, dense, ripe style, with loads of rich, powerful flavors of dark plum, kirsch, blackberry and dark chocolate. Has lots of meaty notes, finishing with cocoa and mocha. Carignane and Syrah. Drink now through 2015. 800 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Oct 31, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Vin de Pays d'Oc Cigalus Red 2003 90 $48 Big, ripe, sculpted red from the south of France, with an array of sweet red fruit flavors and loads of rich, spicy elements. Layers of pretty toast notes are backed up by mocha and chocolate. Flavors linger harmoniously on the long finish. Drink now through 2008. 1,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape Château l'Hospitalet La Reserve 2005 90 $22 A robust red, with good definition to the berry, cherry and plum flavors. There's also plenty of spicy notes, with mineral and chocolate on the finish. Well-balanced and nicely structured. Drink now through 2010. 6,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Dec 31, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Corbières La Forge 2003 90 $65 A refined and intense red, with a beautiful aroma of violets and layers of concentrated dark plum, cassis, iron and a hint of toffee. Fine-grain tannins, with dark chocolate and dark rumlike notes. Carignane and Syrah. Drink now. 700 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc Rosé La Clape Château l'Hospitalet La Réserve 2005 89 $21 Powerful and fresh. Berry, dried cherry and plum flavors, with notes of sea salt and pepper. Creamy finish, with dollops of raspberry ganache. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Drink now. 6,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Vin de Pays d'Oc Cigalus White 2006 88 $48 A ripe style, with heady flavors of pineapple, pear, mango and spice. Balanced, with a long finish of cream and smoke. Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2010. 1,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Dec 31, 2007
GÉRARD BERTRAND Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc Collection 2002 88 $14 An aromatic, concentrated red, with plenty of dark plum, raspberry and licorice flavors. Rich and full-bodied, with elegant notes of mineral and smoke on the finish. Well-done in a tough vintage. Drink now through 2008. 8,500 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière Château Laville Bertrou 2004 88 $20 Ripe, with a meaty allure and loads of dark plum, dark cherry and smoke flavors that extend on the espresso-filled finish. Try with flank steak. Drink now through 2010. 6,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Corbières Domaine de Villemajou 2004 88 $20 Big and ripe, with luscious flavors of cassis, dark plum and dark cherry. Baker's chocolate notes and hints of licorice and spice enliven the finish. Drink now through 2010. 12,000 cases made. – KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Vin de Pays d'Oc Cigalus White 2005 88 $48 Rich, with an array of flavors, including ripe pear, butter and smoke. Structured and balanced, with a finish of honey and lanolin. Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2008. 500 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc White La Clape Château l'Hospitalet La Réserve 2005 88 $20 A rich, well-crafted white, with baked apple flavors and hints of apricot. Fine structure and balance. The spicy finish is filled with plenty of verve. Drink now through 2009. 1,500 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Cabernet Sauvignon Vin de Pays d'Oc 2003 88 $11 Firm, decadent, full-bodied red, with loads of dark plum flavors and espresso notes, hints of bittersweet chocolate and bacon-fat on the finish. A good backbone of acidity suggests it will benefit from short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2007. 12,500 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Corbières Terroir Les Cailloutis 2003 88 $15 A thick, ripe red, with loads of mineral, tar, dark plum and meat flavors. Firm structure and a long lasting finish of dark chocolate and smoke. Drink now through 2007. 10,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005
GÉRARD BERTRAND Vin de Pays d'Oc Cigalus White 2004 88 $48 A rich white, with mouthfilling flavors of ripe apple, cream and butterscotch. Elegant, lingering finish of spice and smoke notes. Drink now. 500 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc White La Clape Château l'Hospitalet La Reserve 2004 88 $22 Medium- to full-bodied, with a rich hazelnut aroma and tropical fruit flavors, including mango and pineapple. Cinnamon and spice on the finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc Château l'Hospitalet Grand Vin 2003 88 $50 Very ripe, with a gamy aroma and loads of brick, dark chocolate and French roast flavors. This bronco has plenty of kick, with blackberry and licorice notes on the finish. Drink now through 2007. 1,300 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière Château Laville Bertrou 2005 88 $22 Very kirschlike, with plenty of crushed red plum and red cherry flavors. The spice-filled finish offers plenty of grip. Drink now through 2010. 5,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Dec 31, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Syrah-Mourvèdre Coteaux du Languedoc Terroir 2005 88 $15 This has mouthfilling flavors of dark plum, dark cherry and blackberry that are lively and wellbalaned. There's pepper and dark chocolate on the fresh finish. Drink now through 2011. 10,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Dec 31, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière Le Viala 2004 87 $65 A ripe red, showing lots of boysenberry and red plum flavors, with mocha and milk chocolate notes on the finish. Drink now. 800 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc Classic 2005 87 $10 Well-integrated flavors of plum, berry and pepper make this a balanced and supple red. Fresh, mineral-filled finish takes on meaty notes. Drink now through 2008. 5,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007
GÉRARD BERTRAND Corbières White Le Blanc de Villemajou 2005 87 $20 Ripe, with a buttery aroma and flavors of almond, pear and spice. Good density and weight, with a nice cut of acidity on the finish. Drink now. 1,200 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc Collection 2004 87 $12 Concentrated plum and berry flavors, with some dusty and mineral notes, are the hallmarks of this muscular red. Peppery and meaty notes on the finish. Drink now. 13,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Syrah-Carignan Minervois Terroir 2005 87 $15 Medium-bodied, with chewy flavors of red cherry, plum and spice. Finishes with mineral and kirsch, with hints of graphite. Drink now through 2010. 10,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Dec 31, 2007 GÉRARD BERTRAND Cabernet Sauvignon Vin de Pays d'Oc Collection 2002 87 $14 A gutsy Cabernet, with concentrated dark plum, espresso, mocha and appealing herb flavors. Good structure, with sturdy tannins and a finish filled with dark chocolate notes. Best from 2006 through 2009. 8,500 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Corbières Domaine de Villemajou 2003 87 $22 Fresh red, with a lively aroma of crushed red berry and dark plum. Supple and well-integrated, with a lingering finish of smoke, espresso and spice. Drink now through 2007. 9,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Corbières White Domaine de Villemajou 2004 87 $20 A delicious and refreshingly fruity white from the south of France, with pineapple and white peach flavors, and layers of smoke and cream. Drink now. 2,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Aug 31, 2005 GÉRARD BERTRAND Cabernet Vin de Pays d'Oc Cuvée des Nombres 9 2005 87 $12 Supple, with dark plum and mineral flavors and meaty overtones. Notes of licorice, dark chocolate and Asian spice on the firm finish. Drink now through 2011. 30,000 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Oct 31, 2007
GÉRARD BERTRAND Viognier Vin de Pays d'Oc Collection 2005 86 $12 Quite minerally, with loads of green peach, pineapple and spice flavors. Notes of melon on the finish. Drink now. 2,300 cases made. –KM Country: France Region: Languedoc-Roussillon Issue Date: Feb 28, 2007