Gérard Bertrand Le Viala 2017

Description

Le Viala is the flagship label at Château Laville Bertrou in Minervois La Livinière. It grows on a small 3-hectare block of vines. The style is opulent, reflecting its marlstone / chalky limestone soils that date back millions of years. The mix is classic Languedoc: syrah, grenache, and carignan. The grenache (20%) and carignan (15%) are whole-bunch vat fermented (carbonically), while the syrah is fermented traditionally with a percentage of whole bunches in the mix. Everything is aged one year in oak and stored a further year at the winery before release. The palate is dry and juicy with rich, floral, dense, sweet tannins. Licorice, cassis, black raspberries and chocolate dusted in garrigue spice permeate this round, creamy, complex red. Cellar for a decade or break out the barbecue and the lamb or a favourite old cheese. Score - 92. (Anthony Gismondi, gismondionwine.com, Oct. 19, 2019)

Tags

Carignan Blend, Full-bodied & Smooth, Red Wine, Wine, XD - Extra Dry