Vintage 2017 (Decanter Score: 93)
Domaine de l’Hortus “Grande Cuvée”, Val de Montferrand 2015 被Decanter雜誌選為 Languedoc地區最佳10支白酒。
Domaine de l’Hortus “Grande Cuvée”, Val de Montferrand 2015 was selected in the best 10 white wine from the Languedoc by MW Rosemary George in the Decanter Magazine.
« Domaine de l’Hortus Grande Cuvée, Val de Montferrand 2015, rating 93 : An intriguing blend featuring Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Gris and Petit Manseng. Lots of nuances from the diversity of grapes. Rich and leesy on the nose, with dry honey and fresh acidity on the palate.” Rosemary George MW, August 2018. Decanter.
Vintage 2017 (Decanter Score: 92)
The Pic St-Loup AOP is, for the time being, only available for red wines – though the whites in this comparatively cool, moist zone of Languedoc are excellent. The blend, fashioned and adapted over time by the Orliacs, would never meet any typical ‘Languedoc’ specification: this wine brings together 40% barrel-fermented Chardonnay with 30% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Viognier and 10% Petit Manseng, the last three varieties all being tank-fermented. 'The key to white wine success,' says Martin Orliac, 'is to find cool sites with soils which don’t dry out too much,' and the Chardonnay does well on the deepest-soiled and coolest site in the valley. This bright gold wine has scents of sweet fruits, honey, wild flowers and balsam. The scents lead you to expect a soft, rich wine but in fact it is deep, searching and marrowy, with a salty-acid energy driving it through the palate to a mango and lime finish. This vintage unquestionably needs a little time to settle and acquire harmony and ease.
Drinking Window 2020 - 2030
這款葡萄酒來自Hortus最佳葡萄園用老葡萄釀製而成。
2015年的Grand Cuvee白因天氣允許多了5%Roussanne，是神來之筆，皆因代表了南法獨有的氣息，除了Grand Cuvee白經典一定有的花香，這次亦帶了香桃，梨子，地中海香料等氣息，這正正能與當地名菜海鮮湯(Bouillabaisse)來個Perfect Match，突顯了Hortus最經典和傳統的風味!
這是來自Pic-St-Loup terroir 一支很出色的酒，Grande Cuvée系列的紅酒和白酒，都有它們深種於那片土地的根基，土地也能享受當地最好的天候，土地排水能力高。在此環境下生長的葡萄樹，在單寧、酸度和香氣之間擁有優質的平衡。
Food Pairing 美食配搭 (Bouillabaisse海鮮湯)
產區保護條例：
南法 IGP St. Guilhem le Desert
產地：
法國
種類：
白葡萄酒
風土：
在Pic Saint Loup山麓和Hortus平原，是由沖積岩和石灰沉漬組成，海拔為150米。
葡萄品種：
(2015) 70% Chardonnay, 25% Viognier and 5% Roussanne
(2017) 70% Chardonnay and 30% Viognier
收成：
每公頃5,500至7,150棵樹生產25至35 HL / Ha
釀造：
直接壓搾。於冷溫度下淨化。Chardonnay於228L橡木桶發酵，而Viognier於混凝土缸發酵。
陳年：
大概8個月，Chardonnay於橡木桶與酵母一起陳年，Viognier則於混凝土缸。
品酒筆記：
此酒擁有經典的蘋果、菠蘿、像桃子的水果味道，加上少許如剛出爐的法式多士。中度酒體，果味豐富，純淨和平衡，這是一支認真的白酒，會演變得十分精采。
評分：
Robert Parker：92 分
The 2015 IGP Saint Guilhem le Désert Grande Cuvée Blanc is a terrific white based on 70% Chardonnay, 25% Viognier and 5% Roussanne. Ripe white peach, hints of flowers, crushed rock and just touch of honey all emerge from the glass. The wine is medium-bodied, nicely textured, and balanced on the palate, with a great finish. Possessing an impressive mix of richness and freshness, it should drink nicely for a year or three.
Robert Parker：94 分 (2013年酒)
This wine is exclusively crafted with old vines coming from the best parcels of Hortus vineyard.
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:
IGP St. Guilhem le Desert, Southern France
Country of Origin:
France
Type:
White/Blanc (Still)
Terroir:
Land parcels in the valley in the foothills of the Pic Saint Loup and Hortus plateau. Brown soil formed by alluvial, limestone deposits, at altitudes around 150 metres.
Grape Varieties:
(2015) 70% Chardonnay, 25% Viognier and 5% Roussanne
(2017) 70% Chardonnay and 30% Viognier
Yields:
25 to 35 hl/ha for land parcels with a density of between 5500 to 7150 plants per hectare.
Vinification:
Direct pressure. Clarification in cool. Vinification in 228 litre oak casks for the Chardonnay. Viognier grapes vinified in vats.
Maturing:
Chardonnay grapes in oak casks on their lees, 10% new French oak. In inox vats for the Viognier.
Tasting Notes:
It has classic apple, pineapple and peach-like fruit nuances to go with hints of toast and brioche. Medium-bodied, juicy, pure and balanced, it’s a serious white that should end up being outstanding.
Wine Advocate Tasting Notes: RP:94 (Vintage 2013)
A gorgeous effort that tastes like a high-end California Chardonnay, the 2013 Val de Montferrand Grand Cuvee Blanc is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Viognier, with the Chardonnay aged eight months on lees in barrel, and the Viognier seeing only tank. It offers up beautiful notes of pineapple, citrus blossom, honeysuckle and white flower nuances, all of which are framed nicely by serious flinty minerality that comes through more on the palate. Possessing rocking purity, full-bodied richness and a clean, classy style, enjoy bottles over the coming 2-3 years.
One of the leading estates in the Pic Saint Loup region, Domaine de l' Hortus (translates to "The Garden") covers roughly 55 acres and is run by Jean Orliac, who's considered the founding father of this up-and-coming region. This is a serious white that has remarkable purity and class, while not skimping on texture or flavor.
