“Elegant, complex nose. Floral notes initially then opens to red and dark fruit, spice and chocolate. Lovely texture on the palate, the tannins dense but suave. A zesty freshness provides balance. Overall, very refined.”
by James Lawther MW @ Jancis Robinson Blog (17 May 2023)

The most elegant, finesse and intellectual wine from Languedoc
Domaine L’Hortus – Pic-St-Loup (Cru of Languedoc, France)

L’Hortus Grande Cuvee Rouge Vintage 2013

Pomerol St-Emilion L’Hortus Languedoc

Syrah Mourvdre 5% Grenache 60% Syrah The Petrus of Languedoc Petrus

Sens Team (23/12/2022)

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence / Ryuichi Sakamoto – From Ryuichi Sakamoto: Playing the Piano 2022

Grande Cuve Domaine de lHortus Pic Saint Loup

Grande Cuve Red Pic Saint Loup Domaine de lHortus

AOC Coteaux du Languedoc

10%-30% 150 300

60% Syrah, 35% Mourvdre, 5% Grenache.

4,000 7,150 25-30 hl / Ha

25-30 12 6

(Robert Parker’s rating: 92 points)
2013 Languedoc Pic Saint Loup Grande Cuve Syrah

(Decanter’s rating: 91 points)
2013 Languedoc Syrah

This wine is exclusively crafted with old vines coming from the best parcels of Hortus vineyard.

The domaine is a family estate lying in a valley between two facing limestone cliffs, the Pic Saint Loup and the Montagne de L’Hortus. The word hortus is latin for “garden”, a reference to the many gardens the Romans found, to their surprise, when they arrived in the area. Long before then, this valley and the many natural caves embedded in the surroundings, protective mountains are thought to have been one of the areas where Neanderthals found refuge.

Wines from the great terroir of Pic St Loup. The Grande Cuve wines, red and white, have their roots in the propertys loveliest land, where water supply is the most reliable. The land parcels benefit from the best weather conditions and the soils both drain well and are sufficiently deep to ensure water reserves protect the vines from summer drought. This results in homogenous maturity with the grapes developing an excellent balance between the quality of the tannins, acidity and aromas. These qualities mean more concentrated work with the grapes (long maceration) and the wine (long maturing in casks).

Appellation:
AOC Coteaux du Languedoc, Southern France

Country of Origin:
France

Type:
Red/Rouge (Still)

Terroir:
Land parcels on mid-slope. Brown soil formed from limestone scree dating from the Cretaceous period. Hill slopes varying from 10 to 30% at altitudes from 150 300 metres.

Grape Varieties:
60% Syrah, 35% Mourvdre, 5% Grenache.

Yields:
25 30hl/ha for land parcels with a density of between 4000 and 7150 plants per hectare.

Vinification:
Grapes are de-stemmed and crushed. 25-30 days in vats. Aged 12 months in one, two and three-year-old barrels, followed by six months in tank.

Tasting Notes:
(Robert Parker’s rating: 92 points)
2013 Languedoc Pic Saint Loup Grande Cuvee is a knockout effort … it has uncommon concentrated depth, as well as medium to full-bodied richness, to go with classic Syrah raspberry and black raspberry fruit, garrigue and toasted spice. Given its overall balance, and level of ripe tannin, it can be enjoyed today, or cellared for a decade.

(Decanter’s rating: 91 points)
The 2013 season was a long and relatively cool one for the Languedoc, with the latest harvest ever recorded at the domain. This dark wine has fresh, sweet, brooding plum and red apple fruits with aromatic notes of earth and moist dust, and the palate it’s sapid, vivid, lively, cool and taut, with an almost Italian style; perfumed, with lively acidity and brisk tannins. The Syrah sings here.

L’Hortus Grand Cuvee Bouillabaisse

Pairing Tips:
Many assume white wine is the only match for seafood, but in southern France, red wine is often the local favorite. With vibrant fruit, fresh herbal notes, and gentle tannins that lift the flavors, its deeply loved by the regions diners. L’Hortus Grande Cuve offers aromatic herbs and spice with concentrated, expressive fruit, making it a bold yet balanced partner for the rich Provenal seafood stew Bouillabaisse, enhancing its depth and savor.