Gerard Bertrand Chateau L'Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge 2017 (750 ml)

The start of picking all depends on the ripeness checks on the grapes, on the analysis of the polyphenols in their skins and on their daily tasting as the date of the harvest approaches. The picking of ripe, healthy grapes is essential to reach optimal quality.  The grapes are picked by hand and carried in tubs to the cellar within the hour.  They are then sorted and destemmed before being transferred to temperature-controlled vats. Each grape variety is vinified separately. Maceration lasts between 20 and 25 days.  At the end of the winter, the wines are transferred into new 225-litre barrels where they are left for 12 to 16 months in the magnificent barrel cellar of Hospitalet, which houses some 2,000 barrels. The fine lees are periodically stirred.  The finest barrels of each grape variety are selected and blended for the production of this wine.

This wine is a bright, ruby-red color. On the nose, The intense nose carries predominant aromas of spices and red fruit (strawberry). On the palate, the fine, silky tannins enhance the fruity freshness of the wine.

Serve this wine at 18°C with a rack of lamb, game birds or mature cheese.