Bergerie de L'Hortus 2021 Rose, Languedoc

This wine has been such a massive success for us for so many years I almost feel like just trying, “This is everything you want in a rose” That or, “Don’t think it, just drink it” But maybe y’all want a little more information. One thing we love about this wine is that it is not a cookie cutter of each vintage. It wears it vintage big and bold on its sleeve. Stamped across its aromas and all over the palate. Always polished and delicious but with wonderful little time stamps of what each vintage brings. Seeing as I have already taken this 2017 home about twice a week since it arrived, well 2017 is a saucy and craveable vintage. Plump fruit upfront with a perfect slice of perky acid, the wine enters your palate, fills your mouth and the acidity trickles in behind it and cleans it all up. Love that.

This wine is from the cooler area of Pic St Loup in the Languedoc region of France, close to the Southern Rhone. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, it is made using the direct press method of rose winemaking. The vineyards of Hortus lie in a valley between two limestone cliffs. This area is unique in that the climate is influenced by both the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and by the Cevennes Mountain range to the north.

Domaine L'Hortus started when Jean Orliac, a professor of Agriculture at University of Montpelier, purchased vineyard land in and around the limestone cliffs. It remains a family operation to this day.

Delightful! Aromas and flavors of dried violets, fresh red berries (raspberries, strawberries). On the palate, also a hint of citrus, spice and some richness. Pair with cured meats, river fish, salmon, sushi, beet salads, and as an aperitif.