Gérard Bertrand, Château La Sauvageonne La Villa, Languedoc

Gérard Bertrand, ex-rugby player and wine businessman, was introduced to wine in 1975. In 1987, after his father passed away, he took an active role in his father’s wine business while still playing professional rugby. Since then, Bertrand has become a wine-grower and owner of 12 estates in the south of France. Château La Sauvageonne was bought in 2011, and is located just north of Montpellier. This 57ha estate grows Syrah and Grenache on rock, sandstone, schist and ‘ruffe’ soil types at an altitude of 300m. La Villa is a mix of Vermentino, Viognier, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Elizabeth Gabay MW: White rather than a typical rosé, the new oak that dominates this fresh, vibrantly acidic blanc de noirs does raise a philosophical question. Andy Howard MW: This is a much less obvious rosé, but there’s lots of extra depth and complexity. It’s creamy and has zesty stone fruits on the palate with some smoky, slightly oaky notes. There are layers of flavour, richness, ripeness and acidity to finish. Fine and complex, with ageing potential. Joanna Simon: A very pale example where it is more a white than a rosé. It has an aromatic, rather Burgundian nose, dried flowers dominating. It’s nutty, creamy but taut on the palate. Concentrated, layered, textured, mineral and spicy.