Our Wine Choice: Gérard Bertrand La Clape L’Hospitalitas 2020

The renowned French vintner Gerard Bertrand recently sent some of its latest offerings to our Hong Kong office, and I finally had the chance to try La Clape L’Hospitalitas 2020. I had tasted the seductive 2021 vintage with Bertrand himself in June during my visit to his home base, Chateau L’Hospitalet, near Narbonne, but the 2020 vintage was still a mystery – until now.

This cuvee comes from a special part of Languedoc. Located just a few kilometers away from Narbonne and well-known appelations such as Corbieres, La Clape is still relatively unknown to most despite its unique character. Part of its uniqueness is its location between the Mediterranean Sea and the plains of Narbonne. Here, rocky soils and slopes dominate, surrounded by littoral forrest. In this aspect, the terroir is more reflective of Provencal rather than the more inland terroirs of Languedoc.

Because the vineyards are so close to the sea, they enjoy ocean-fresh breezes, yet because Hospitalitas is set against a cliff it is largely protected from the more vigorous northern winds. The result is a full-bodied red blend that harmoniously combines the meaty, spicy character of syrah with the structure of mourvedre, with the latter framing the wine and giving it a suave texture on the palate. It’s dense with character but always in such balance that it’s hard to believe the alcohol level is upward of 15,5 percent. The wine is proof that La Clape AOC, which has only been in existence since 2015, is already among the best appellations in the region.

– Kevin Davy, Tasting Manager