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.
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
After a typical winter, with a few sub-zero temperatures and relatively mild days, a period of post-bud frost caused a few losses. The months of March and April were marked by generous rainfall, helping the vegetative cycle to get off to a good start. The rest of the spring was dry until the end of June. A fine thunderstorm at the end of June allowed the vines to withstand the heat of July and August, which was particularly stressful. To sum up, even if the cumulative rainfall wasn't great, the timing was ideal.
Weather conditions during the harvest were generally favorable : low humidity, seasonal temperatures and plenty of sunshine helped the grapes to reach their full maturity. Val de l'Ours Merlot plots were harvested on September 26 and 27, 2022.
Weather conditions during the harvest were generally favorable : low humidity, seasonal temperatures and plenty of sunshine helped the grapes to reach their full maturity. Val de l'Ours Merlot plots were harvested on September 26 and 27, 2022.
Varietal
Merlot : 100%
Tasting
The robe is deep, dark ruby in color with garnet highlights.
The nose reveals a palette of black fruit with hints of licorice, typical of Merlot grown in the region. There are also notes of wild cherry, blackcurrant and fruit liqueur.
The licorice follows through on the palate with hints of pepper, giving way to aromas of tea and hay with menthol and anise undertones.
The tannins, still young and crunchy, confer a lovely roundness leading to a spicy finish.
The nose reveals a palette of black fruit with hints of licorice, typical of Merlot grown in the region. There are also notes of wild cherry, blackcurrant and fruit liqueur.
The licorice follows through on the palate with hints of pepper, giving way to aromas of tea and hay with menthol and anise undertones.
The tannins, still young and crunchy, confer a lovely roundness leading to a spicy finish.