Gerard Bertrand – Aigle Royal 2013 – Limoux

White wine with a quite pale yellow colour, a tinge of green, rather high viscosity. Pure nose, high intensity, rather ripe fruit here; Chardonnay-like with some buttery notes, ripe lemon, stone fruit. The fruit dominates here, but we still feel it has got an élevage in oak, some vanilla, some nutty toasted notes. Attractive palate, quite Burgundy-like, as it has this very nice mouthwatering freshness. Good bite, good grip; acidity is very fresh, and balances those ripe stone fruity notes. Feels like a wine with a good degree of ripeness yet in a slightly cooler climate, because we have that very nice marked natural acidity on the palate. The oak is nicely integrated, doesn’t give a lot on the palate, just some discreet notes of vanilla. Very nice length and purity, salivating finish. Very gastronomic and inviting. Nice to drink now, but it has the structure certainly to age for another 3 to 4 years.

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.