Val de l'Ours Rouge Classique - Val de l'Ours

Val de l'Ours

There’s a place on the hills bordering the Mediterranean shores where nature has always been so abundant that brown bears had chosen it to settle down, knowing that the rocky hillsides and forest would provide them a safe habitat, and the thick vegetation ample supplies of food and water.
Today human activity has reclaimed this fertile valley, pushing the bears further up towards the Pyrenean mountains and allowing us to produce a range of generous wines.

The vintage

The spring of 2023 was very similar to 2022, with a particularly hot April and very low rainfall in winter and spring. The vines started early and by mid-May they were already showing signs of water stress impacting vegetative growth. At the beginning of August, the vineyard was at mid-veraison and water stress was increasing, with Chardonnay and Grenache showing a better resistance. The second half of August was scorching, but 15 mm of rain enabled the harvest to start on August 25th. Another 50 mm of rain fell in mid-September, easing the end of the ripening process and giving the vines a chance to breathe after a very difficult year. The harvest went on smoothly.

Varietals

Syrah : 30%
Grenache noir : 20%
Cabernet sauvignon : 10%
Marselan : 9%
Carignan : 8%
Merlot : 7%
Cabernet franc : 6%
Mourvèdre : 5%
Alicante-henri-bouschet : 4%
Petit verdot : 1%

Tasting

The robe displays a beautiful ruby hue.
The nose, generous and fresh, reveals aromas of raspberry intertwined with subtle hints of sweet spices.
On the palate, the soft and velvety attack unveils a rich aromatic complexity, marked by indulgent notes of wild berries and garrigue.