Parker Points Galore for Gérard Bertrand
In the latest issue of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, a host of wines from Gérard Bertrand have taken top points following a recent visit from Joe Czerwinski.
94+ points: Gérard Bertrand, Clos d'Ora, Minervois La Livinière 2016 (vintage en-route) 
"From a vintage with very small yields, the 2016 Minervois la Liviniere Clos d'Ora may be even more concentrated than the rich 2015 or 2012. Brown sugar and caramelised notes accent notes of blackberries and charred wood. Super ripe—maybe even a bit over the top for some drinkers—this full-bodied, full-throttle wine is admittedly a bit much right now. Hold it for a few years to allow the oak to mellow and the fruit elements to come forward, including the intriguing note of liquorice on the long finish."
94 points: Le Viala, Gérard Bertrand, Minervois La Livinière 2016 (vintage en-route)
"The 2016 Minervois la Liviniere la Viala is a dark, inky blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. Cola, blueberries and blackberries appear on the nose of this full-bodied, concentrated wine. Ripe and velvety, it's rich and dense, finishing with fudge-like notes that I suspect will limit its ability to age. That said, for drinking over the next few years, it will provide a thrill ride of flavour intensity."
91 - 93 points: Domaine de Cigalus 'Cigalus Blanc', Gérard Bertrand, Pays d'Oc, 2018
"The 2018 IGP Pays d'Oc Cigalus Blanc is a barrel-fermented and aged blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Marked by toasty notes on the nose, it adds ripe, honeyed notes of pineapple and peach on the palate. It's full-bodied and round, with a creamy-silky texture, then adds lively citrus zest on the long finish."
92 points: La Forge, Gérard Bertrand, Corbières-Boutenac 2016
"Based on 100-year-old Carignan, the 2016 Corbieres Boutenac la Forge features smoky, herbal and green peppercorn aromas. It's full-bodied, rich, concentrated and intense, combining a hard, greenish streak with ripe raspberries and blackberries (the remainder of the blend is Syrah). Give it 2-3 years to mellow, and drink it over the next decade."
92 points: Clos d'Ora, Gérard Bertrand, Minervois La Livinière 2013
"Even from pristine storage at the estate, the 2013 Minervois la Liviniere Clos d'Ora is showing some leathery, earthy notes and hints of dried fruit and peppery spice. It's full-bodied and rich, but open-knit and (this bottle at least) maturing quite rapidly."
91+ points: Domaine de Cigalus 'Cigalus Rouge', Gérard Bertrand, Aude Hauterive 2017
"A blend of seven varieties but dominated by Bordeaux varieties, the 2017 IGP Aude Hauterive Cigalus features scents of mint and cassis on the nose. It's full-bodied and dark, very much a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend."
91 points: Château La Sauvageonne, 'La Villa Rosé', Gérard Bertrand, Languedoc 2018 (vintage en-route)
"Tasted as a blended sample during my February trip and again from bottle in April, the Demeter-certified biodynamic 2018 Languedoc Rose Chateau La Sauvageonne La Villa represents a clear step up from the rest of the Gerard Bertrand rosés. It's a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Vermentino and Viognier, some of which are co-fermented. All are barrel fermented and kept in wood for six months. Pale and coppery in hue, with aromas of crushed stone and melon, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, showing tropical fruit, ample roundness and texture, then turns stony, austere and even a bit chalky on the lime-ridden finish."
