The history of the Bertaud Belieu Domain goes back more than 7 centuries. Back in the 14th century the Seigneur de Bertaud gave his name to a stretch of land reaching from Saint-Tropez to Ramautelle passing via Gassin, it was already planted with grape vines. At the end of the 1980s with the grapevines in a state of abandon the domain was incorporated into the Bélieu quarter which owes its name to the small river that runs below the village of Gassin.
The Bertaud Belieu Domain has a fine location in Gassin on the Côte d'Azur, right in the heart of the Saint-Tropez peninsula. Being on the frontier between the sand and limestone of the Massif des Maures and the sandy clay of the Saint-Raphael coast, these vineyards have a very high quality silt-clay soil. The Bertaud Belieu grape vines cover an area of 65 hectares and are divided up into 80% rosé wine and 20% red and white wines. The names of the grape varieties seem filled with the Côte d'Azur sun in the Côtes de Provence AOP: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Tibourens, etc.
Thanks to the mild climate Bertaud Belieu produce their red wines from grapes grown in the most exposed vineyards whilst the whites are grown on limestone soil. In this domain the grapes are harvested by hand, to ensure that only the ripe grapes are picked, and this can only be done during the coolness of the night-time to preserve their rich flavour. These approaches are typical of the domain's constant will to produce quality wine using sustainable agriculture practices.
And all of this shines forth in the Millénium Cuvée, a genuine ode to the Domain's history. This 2000 vintage red cuvée, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Mourvèdre; has aged elegantly Its purple colour with garnet highlights, its aroma of stewed plums with hints of spice (cinnamon, liquorice), truffle; its diversity, maturity and the hints of animal and forest floors, as well as its refined and full tannins... all make this, more so now than ever, a truly great wine.
The domain's other leading cuvée: the Cuvée Héracléa, rosé, is a blending of Grenache, Syrah and Rolle. The 2017 vintage has a subtle bouquet of small red fruit and late season peaches. The palate is filled with exotic flavours, which persist well with smoked and sea-salt hints. A truly gastronomic rosé.
For the summer heat, the Bertaud Belieu Domain also proposes a range of Traditional Method Table Wines with the Bulle Rosé, a naturally sparkling wine from the "Cuvée Prestige Rosé", and the Bulle Brut, Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay, which stands out for its very fine bubbles, slight acidity and freshness.
The wines produced by the Bertaud Belieu Domain take full advantage of the Saint-Tropez climate and all have warm and sun-drenched flavours. The ideal way to get away from the clouds and give a genuine holiday feel.
Sandy Bénard
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