Gérard Bertrand, Languedoc (France) Pinot Noir 2018

 Languedoc (a.k.a. Pays d’Oc) is a large, general wine region in the southwest of France.  It begins east of Marseilles and ends at the border with Spain.  It brings to mind visions of hot and dry — not exactly the prime conditions for growing Pinot Noir.  However, there are areas with cooler weather due to the proximity of the Pyrenees Mountains, so it turns out that Pinot Noir is not such a crazy idea after all.  The grapes for this scrumptious Pinot Noir come from cooler areas between Carcassone and Limoux, famous for Blanquette de Limoux (considered by some to be the first sparkling wine).  The vineyards are at elevations between 500 and 1200 feet.  Its deep ruby color and lovely aromas of black cherry, raspberry and violets foreshadow the pleasure to come.  In the mouth the wine is at once delicate and intense or as producer Gérard Bertrand says, “male and female, yin and yang, a steel fist in a velvet glove.”  Black cherry, raspberry, blackberry fruit flavors with floral violet and vanilla notes are round in feel, while nervy acidity and ripe tannins provide backbone.  Serve it with grilled salmon or a pork tenderloin.   The wine comes in the beautiful bottle with the rose on its base that was created for the Côtes des Roses Rosé.