Gérard Bertrand Clos D'Ora

The Clos d'Ora is one of the most ambitious wines of the Languedoc: a Grand Vin from the Minervois La Livinière, one of the few appellations in the south of France with its own Cru status.

Gérard Bertrand discovered the estate in 1997 — a single vineyard in the garrigue, surrounded by lavender, thyme, and old olive trees. The biodynamically farmed terroir of limestone and clay soils noticeably shapes the wine. In the cellar: long maceration, aging in French oak barrels.

In the glass, black cherry, blackberry, and cassis dominate, underpinned by garrigue herbs, dark chocolate, and a hint of tobacco. The body is dense, the tannins are ripe and silky — no hard bite, but a clear backbone. Long, spicy finish with a balsamic note.

• Grape varieties: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan
• Temperature: 16–18 °C, decant beforehand
• Food: Leg of lamb with herbs of Provence, braised beef short ribs, aged Ossau-Iraty