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
In the Languedoc, after a mild winter and a cool spring, temperatures rose, reaching a peak throughout the region at the end of June; this was followed by a hot summer. Fortunately, Aussières escaped the drought and the heatwave thanks to its ally the wind; in particular from the south-east: the “Marin” which brings just the right amount of moisture for the vines’ growth. Finally, some rain at the beginning of September enabled the grapes to reach the desired levels of ripeness.
The Carignan, Mourvèdre and Grenache benefited the most from these conditions and in this vintage reveal superb freshness and aromatic intensity.
The Carignan, Mourvèdre and Grenache benefited the most from these conditions and in this vintage reveal superb freshness and aromatic intensity.
Varietals
Syrah : 36%
Grenache noir : 35%
Mourvèdre : 12%
Carignan : 9%
Alicante-henri-bouschet : 8%
Grenache noir : 35%
Mourvèdre : 12%
Carignan : 9%
Alicante-henri-bouschet : 8%
Tasting
Val de l'Ours Grande Réserve 2019 has a very pure, sunny bouquet, with notes of flint and graphite. These are mingled with the very specific scents of our garrigue (thyme, black truffle) and some liquorice and eucalyptus.
On the palate, there is the same mineral character and notes of the garrigue but on a slightly different register (mentholated vervain, sage, laurel).
Secondary notes of blackcurrant and blueberry compote and a hint of fruit brandy emerge, a sign of the beginning of a very harmonious evolution. The tannins are well-integrated, giving the wine a perfectly balanced structure.
On the palate, there is the same mineral character and notes of the garrigue but on a slightly different register (mentholated vervain, sage, laurel).
Secondary notes of blackcurrant and blueberry compote and a hint of fruit brandy emerge, a sign of the beginning of a very harmonious evolution. The tannins are well-integrated, giving the wine a perfectly balanced structure.