CHÂTEAU GILBERT & GAILLARD

Transcription

1 CHÂTEAU GILBERT & GAILLARD AOC SAINT-CHINIAN

2 PHILIPPE GAILLARD Born into a winemaking family in Touraine in the Loire valley, Philippe Gaillard studied winemaking and oenology and later became the Sales director of a major French wine distributor. He has run the Gilbert & Gaillard group since 1989.

3 TWO MEN, ONE TERROIR, AND A SHARE PASSION FRANCOIS GILBERT With a PhD in geography. François Gilbert rapidly specialised in studying wine regions and their environmental make-up. He was a professor for 15 years before succumbing to his passion for wine. He has run the Gilbert & Gaillard group since 1989.

4 OUR STORY OUR ETHOS The exciting story of Château Gilbert & Gaillard began when two globetrotting wine tasters set their sights on an outstanfing wine region in Languedoc. Philippe Gaillard et François Gilbert are journalists, wine tasters and critics. Creators of the Gilbert & Gaillard umbrella brand and the wine guides of the same name, they also publish an English language magazine distributed across all five continents. Constant travelling around the world has given them precious insight into the multi-facted wine industry across the globe, from South Africa to California through Italy, Spain, Portugal and many others. They decided to turn 25 years experience to good account at the outstanding Languedoc wine estate, Château Gilbert & Gaillard. For the last 25 years, they have tirelessly promoted wines with a sense of place in the international marketplace. Now, at Château Gilbert & Gaillard, their ambition is to elicit the finest qualities from this fabulous terroir, on a par with those of Languedoc s top-tier offerings.

5 THE CHÂTEAU Location : Château Gilbert & Gaillard is located approximately 20 kilometres from Béziers in the village of Puisserguier, in the heart of a Natura protected nature reserve. Vineyard area : 15 Hectares Soil Type : Limestone gravel from the Eocene period on hillside sites. Grape varieties : Shyrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre Average vine age : 25 years Harvesting : By hand and machine

6 THE SAINT-CHINIAN APPELLATION A JEWEL IN LANGUEDOC S CROWN The Saint-Chinian appellation area is located north of Béziers in the department of Hérault. It covers 20 localities and its soils are divided into two, very different areas : clay-limestone in the South and schist in the North. The climate is typically Mediterranean : dry and hot. The range of grape varieties, which was traditionally dominated by Carignan, has changed significantly over the last 25 years :Carignan (maximum 40%), Cinsault (30% maximum), Grenache, Lladoner Pelut, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. The last four varieties must account for at least 60% of the range of grapes, including a minimum 10% for Shiraz-Mourvèdre and a minimum 20% for Grenache-Lladoner. One noteworthy change in recent years is that Roquebrun and Berlou, both located on the appellation s schist soils, have earned the right to append their name to the Saint-Chinian appellation. Both geographical designations are set aside for red wines. The White wines (2005 decree) are made primarily from Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino and to a lesser extent from Bourboulenc, Clairette, Macabeu and Carignan blanc. The red wines are densely-coloured. Those grown on schist soils are rich, full and velvety with aromas of red fruits and spices gradually flowing into cocoa and roasted coffee notes over time. Wines sourced from the clay-limestone part of the appellation, like Château Gilbert & Gaillard, display a more mineral and supple aromatic character embracing a delicious range of fruit, spice and garrigue aromatics. They also have the capacity to age for extensive periods of time.

7 SOILS AND SETTING The limestone soils at Château Gilbert & Gaillard Hand-picked grapes at Château Gilbert & Gaillard The Natura 2000 Nature reserve Château Gilbert & Gaillard is located in an outstanding setting in the heart of a 3,000-hectares nature reserve listed as Natura Its undulating claylimestone soils range from 150 to 200 meters above sea level and date from the Eocene period (start of the Tertiary period). These deep, extremely stony soils allow the vines to put down deep roots, thereby protecting them from summer droughts and water stress. Much of the surrounding landscape is home to the garrigue with its abundance of thyme, rosemary, juniper and wild fennel and pine forests. The vines thrive among these heady scents which ultimately filter through to the grapes. The Mediterranean climate ensures substantial sunshine, sufficient rainfall particularlyin the autumn and above all, the famous northerly wind, the Cers. Every three out of four days, it caresses the vines and keeps the grapes naturally healthy so that minimum spraying is required. All these different components come together to ensure ideal growing conditions for Château Gilbert & Gaillard s Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre vines aged 25 years on average. They are then able to produce healthy, ripe and remarkably expressive grapes.

8 THE WINERY The winery boasts irreproachable wine making facilities which are both cutting-edge and attractive. It is equipped with Nico Velo tulip-shaped concrete tanks, more commonly found in the great Bordeaux classified growths Château Cheval Blanc, La Conseillante and Château Prieuré-Lichine as they provide ideal conditions for temperature control and storage. The freshly-picked grapes are gravity fed into the winery in order to handle them as gently as possible. They are then transferred to temperature-controlled concrete tanks using peristatic pumps. This bespoke equipment allows the quintessential qualities of the terroir and the grapes full potential to be released during wine making.

9 GILBERT & GAILLARD TERRE SAUVAGE «Discovering this outstanding terroir, I knew we will create a grand cru, enhanced by minerality, freshness and elegance.» P.Gaillard AOC Saint-Chinian Soil type : Limestone gravel from the Eocene epoch on hillside sites. Varietal content : 40% Syrah ; 50% Grenache ; 10% Mourvèdre Alcohol content : 13,5 % vol Winemaking : The grapes are destemmed and sorted by hand on a conveyor belt, then put into tanks. Vatting lasts for approximately 8 to 10 days with gentle extraction using rack and return at the start of the fermentation phase and pumping over if necessary. No oak ageing in order to preserve fruit and terroir expression. Tasting notes : Dark purple hue. Intense nose of red and black fruits with tiny spicy notes (thyme, rosemary etc.) A delightful wine! Cellaring capacity : 3 to 5 years Packaging details : 75 cl 6 bottles 1x6 case Food pairings : Mediterranean dishes, barbecues and tapas

10 GILBERT & GAILLARD Le Rosé «Discovering this outstanding terroir, I knew we will create a grand cru, enhanced by minerality, freshness and elegance.» P.Gaillard AOC Saint-Chinian Soil type : Limestone gravel from the Eocene epoch on hillside sites. Varietal content : 85% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache Alcohol content : 12 % vol Winemaking : Saignée Méthode Tasting notes : Light pink. Delightful aromas of red fruits and spice. Supple palate framed by savoury freshness. Cellaring capacity : 1 to 2 years Packaging details : 75 cl 6 bottles 1x6 case Food pairings : Summer food with Mediterranean flavors

11 GILBERT & GAILLARD Pour les Amis «Discovering this outstanding terroir, I knew we will create a grand cru, enhanced by minerality, freshness and elegance.» P.Gaillard AOC Saint-Chinian Soil type : Limestone gravel from the Eocene epoch on hillside sites. Varietal content : 40% Syrah ; 50% Grenache ; 10% Mourvèdre Alcohol content : 13,5 % vol Winemaking : The grapes are destemmed and sorted by hand on a conveyor belt, then put into tanks. Vatting lasts for approximately 8 to 10 days with gentle extraction using rack and return at the start of the fermentation phase and pumping over if necessary. No oak ageing in order to preserve fruit expression and remarkable minerality. Tasting notes : Dark purple hue. Intense nose of red and black fruits with subtle mineral undertones. Very supple palate with savoury fruit and spice intensity supported by freshness. Cellaring capacity : 3 to 5 years Packaging details : 75 cl 6 bottles 1x6 case Food pairings : Barbecues and tapas, Mediterranean dishes

12 CHÂTEAU GILBERT & GAILLARD «Discovering this outstanding terroir, I knew we will create a grand cru, enhanced by minerality, freshness and elegance.» P.Gaillard AOC Saint-Chinian Soil type : Limestone gravel from the Eocene epoch on hillside sites. Varietal content : Vines are over 25 years old 48% Syrah ; 40% Grenache ; 12% Mourvèdre Alcohol content : 13 % by vol Winemaking : The grapes are destemmed and sorted by hand on a conveyor belt, then put into tanks. Vatting lasts for approximately three weeks with gentle extraction using rack and return at the start of the fermentation phase and pumping over if necessary ; the pomace cap is sprayed daily. Postfermentation maceration is dictated by daily tastings of the juice. Grapes from some single vineyard sites are fermented as whole clusters and the juice is matured in casks straight after racking. Tasting notes : Ruby with crimson highlights. Focused, fresh nose showing upfront red and black berry fruits, notes of garrigue and spice. Fresh, mineral and mouth-coating palate with fine-grained substance boasting lovely length. Cellaring capacity : 4 to 6 years Food pairings : Meats in a sauce and game as well as spicy foods such as Asian cuisine.

13 ROC BLANC «Discovering this outstanding terroir, I knew we will create a grand cru, enhanced by minerality, freshness and elegance.» P.Gaillard AOC Saint-Chinian Soil type : Limestone gravel from the Eocene epoch on hillside sites. Varietal content : Vines are over 25 years old 55% Syrah ; 35% Grenache ; 10% Mourvèdre Alcohol content : 13,5 % by vol Winemaking : The grapes are destemmed and sorted by hand on a conveyor belt, then put into tanks. Vatting lasts for approximately three weeks with gentle extraction using rack and return at the start of the fermentation phase and pumping over if necessary ; the pomace cap is sprayed daily. Postfermentation maceration is dictated by daily tastings of the juice. Grapes from some single vineyard sites are fermented as whole clusters and the juice is matured in light toast casks for two years straight after racking. Tasting notes : Red and black berry fruits, combined with tiny notes of garrigue and spice. All integrated with woody flavors. Fresh, mineral and mouthcoating palate with fine-grained substance boasting lovely length. Cellaring capacity : All the wine is preserved over time by its acidity and body Food pairings : Well balanced dishes distinguished by elegance

14 THE RANGE Vines are 10 years old and planted at 180 meters of altitude. Terre Sauvage is representative of our land with tiny spicy notes integrated into a fruity structure. Vines are 10 years old and planted at 200 meters of altitude. The cuvée Pour Les Amis has a very supple palate with savoury fruit and spice intensity supported by freshness. A delightful wine! Vines are over 25 years old. Mainly composed by Syrah, the Château is more complex and full bodied. This wine is enhanced by minerality, freshness and elegance Roc Blanc is the château s highest point and features on land registry records. Two years maturing in oak casks. The quintessential qualities of our terroir are encapsulated in Roc Blanc.

15 CONTACT US Pierre Lemoine Sales Director France & Export