In the glass
Aroma: blackberry, garrigue, violet, black pepper
Palate: dark cherry, thyme, liquorice, supple tannin
Syrah-led Pic Saint-Loup entry red blending young-vine Hortus fruit with selected lots from neighbouring growers. Built for five-year drinking.
What it pairs with
-
Lamb merguez with grilled vegetables
Garrigue herbs in the wine mirror the spice; medium tannins handle merguez fat. -
Pissaladière
Black pepper and olive notes pair with anchovy-onion tart. -
Aged Pélardon goat cheese
Supple tannin balances the tang of mature goat cheese from the Cévennes.
History
When Jean Orliac built the Hortus cellar in 1990 he bottled the Bergerie cuvée as a wider expression of Pic Saint-Loup, blending his younger vines with grapes from neighbouring growers. The name references the shepherd's hut at the base of the cliff.
- 1990 — First vintage of Bergerie de l'Hortus rouge
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine de l'Hortus
- Grapes
- Syrah (60%), Grenache (30%), Mourvèdre (10%)
- Classification
- AOC Pic Saint-Loup
- Oak
- Aged in concrete tank with partial barrel ageing for the Syrah component
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- €15-20 at retail
- Drinking window
- 2-8 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Bergerie de l'Hortus Rouge
What does Bergerie de l'Hortus Rouge taste like?
Blackberry, garrigue, violet and black pepper on the nose; dark cherry, thyme, liquorice and supple tannin on the palate. Medium-bodied with a medium-length finish.
When should I drink Bergerie de l'Hortus Rouge?
Drink between 2 and 8 years from vintage. The wine carafes well after 30 minutes and is approachable young.
What food pairs with Bergerie de l'Hortus Rouge?
Lamb merguez with grilled vegetables is the canonical match; pissaladière and aged Pélardon goat cheese also work well.
What grapes are in Bergerie de l'Hortus Rouge?
60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre - the classic Pic Saint-Loup trio in Hortus's house proportions.