當你明白Pomerol和St-Emilion的分別，應該會了解L'Hortus和其他Languedoc的分別，遊走在仙氣和優雅之間，從來都堅持忠實富韌力風格，並不是分數大氣候能輕易改變的。開始是那令人懷緬的某某紅黑樹莓果汁糖，很快就另人聯想到蘭花，然後那英式糖果屋般的甘草被橡木包圍整個口腔，雖則是Syrah和Mourvedre為主和一丁點Grenache，但那5% Grenache充滿陽氣力量感，在Mourvedre的土壤感後湧上，那60% Syrah令你根本沒法輕易和其他酒比較，充滿線條和幽香，喝到杯底還有淡淡皮革和黑橄欖香，難怪曾被酒友形容為『The Petrus of Languedoc』！當然那位仁兄應該喝過Petrus才會說出這種話！但我會認為它會是南法的永恆經典，亦非常值得一試！
Sens Team (23/12/2022)
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence / Ryuichi Sakamoto - From Ryuichi Sakamoto: Playing the Piano 2022
這款葡萄酒來自Hortus，用最佳葡萄園的老藤葡萄釀製而成。 Grande Cuvée系列的紅酒和白酒，都有根基於土地的根基，充分反映出Pic St Loup 出色的風土。水源供應可靠，土地也能享受當地最好的天候，加上土地排水能力高，深度充足，可以防止葡萄樹在夏季乾涸。在此環境下生長的葡萄樹，質素統一，在單寧、酸度和香氣之間擁有優質平衡。釀酒師亦投入大量人力物力於葡萄的浸漬，以及花更長時間來陳年。
配餐小貼士： 過往時時聽說白酒配白肉海鮮，但其實很多人忽略了一些南法的紅酒其實是當地人配搭海鮮的首選，皆因香草充足，果香豐足，雖然紅酒有單寧，但只要搭配得宜，不但無傷大雅，紅酒輕量的單寧也可提鮮，深受南法人喜愛。L'Hortus Grand Cuvee 香草香料豐富，果味濃厚，可大膽嘗試地配法式海鮮湯Bouillabaisse。因為海鮮湯非常濃郁，兩者濃度可互相平衡，而提升鮮味。
This wine is exclusively crafted with old vines coming from the best parcels of Hortus vineyard.
The domaine is a family estate lying in a valley between two facing limestone cliffs, the Pic Saint Loup and the Montagne de L'Hortus. The word hortus is latin for "garden", a reference to the many gardens the Romans found, to their surprise, when they arrived in the area. Long before then, this valley and the many natural caves embedded in the surroundings, protective mountains are thought to have been one of the areas where Neanderthals found refuge.
Wines from the great terroir of Pic St Loup. The ‘Grande Cuvée’ wines, red and white, have their roots in the property’s loveliest land, where water supply is the most reliable. The land parcels benefit from the best weather conditions and the soils both drain well and are sufficiently deep to ensure water reserves protect the vines from summer drought. This results in homogenous maturity with the grapes developing an excellent balance between the quality of the tannins, acidity and aromas. These qualities mean more concentrated work with the grapes (long maceration) and the wine (long maturing in casks).
Appellation: AOP Pic Saint Loup, Southern France
Country of Origin: France
Type: Red/Rouge (Still)
Terroir: Land parcels on mid-slope. Brown soil formed from limestone scree dating from the Cretaceous period. Hill slopes varying from 10 to 30% at altitudes from 150 – 300 metres.
Grape Varieties: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache
Yields: 25 – 30hl/ha for land parcels with a density of between 4000 and 7150 plants per hectare.
Vinification: Grapes are de-stemmed and crushed. 25-30 days in vats.
Maturing: 6 months in vats before initial blending then 12 months in 225 and 400 litre oak casks. These can be new, or of 1 or 2 wines.
Tasting Notes: This clean and ample wine dominated by a very pure Syrah, sublimated by Mourvèdre. Very classic black fruits, spices and garrigue, with hints of peppery aromas. Elegant finish, have good aging potential.
Food Pairing: White wines are generally pair best with fish and seafood. However, red wines from southern France are best suited for seafood for locals because of the generous herbal and fruity aromas. Light tannins from red wines also interact beautifully with fish oils on the palate. L'Hortus Grand Cuvee is rich enough to be served with Bouillabaisse, that helps to bring out the umami.
