Didier Barral's grand cuvée is principally a blend of Mourvèdre and Syrah. It reveals superb substance, density, power, complexity, structure and incredible finesse. A great bottle with great ageing potential that should be kept for a few years.
Features
Estate
Domaine Léon Barral
Cuvée
Valinière
Vintage
2020
Designation
Faugères
Region
Languedoc
Grape varieties
80% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah
Terroirs
Sloping schist slopes, Mediterranean climate, south-facing, sheltered by the Cévennes foothills
Viticulture
Certified organic and biodynamic
Harvest
Manual
Winemaking
Long extraction, no sulfur added
Breeding
36 months in barrel
Alcohol content
14%
Organic
Yes
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Intense ruby color with purplish highlights
Nose
Intense and wild, roasted and roasted notes, mixed with red berries and a hint of spice.
Mouth
Deep and complex, with well-structured, fat tannins and a long, fresh, spicy finish.
Serve
AT 16-18°C
Open
2 hours before decanting
Drink before
2031
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with rack of lamb with tomato, pork filet mignon with olives, rabbit stew with thyme, Cantal or Roquefort cheese...
Domaine Léon Barral
Faugères
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Domaine noté Sélectionné (An estate or house that has won us over with one or more wines from its production, without us being able to give a general opinion on the style of the entire range)
About the domain :
A man of strong convictions, Didier Barral is one of those who have given the most thought to working the soil, which has been installed on the estate since the early 1990s. The 33-hectare vineyard is located on schist slopes sheltered by the foothills of the Cévennes. Didier Barral has reintroduced black pigs and 70 cows (which graze from October to April in his vineyards), and has widely favored mixed farming to allow different species of flora and fauna to cohabit. The soil is not ploughed to allow animal life to thrive. The winemaking philosophy is close to that of "natural" wines, with low levels of sulfur protection at bottling. There may have been deviations in certain wines, but at their best, these faugères have no equivalent. Don't you have to accept a few little flaws in the girl you love," explains Didier? The domaine didn't send us any samples this year, so we'll do a full review next year.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated (guide 2024) 93/100 (Vintage 2019)
Domaine rated (guide 2024) 2*Stars (These great estates, often endowed with fabulous terroirs, are must-haves which, thanks to their consistency and the excellence of their production, must be included in the cellars of discerning wine lovers).
About the domain :
Didier Barral has come a long way since settling on his father's schists in Lenthéric in the early 1990s. In search of an authentic expression of his terroir, he spares no effort in the vineyard. With the help of his brother Jean-Luc, this obstinate and visionary winemaker has introduced a method of cultivation that respects the ecosystem, encourages interaction between the plant and animal kingdoms, and strengthens the vine's immunity. As for the cellar, since the harvest is very healthy and the grapes of excellent constitution, ageing is "biblically" simple. Although there are no direct sales at the estate, the Barrals are happy to pass on the addresses of their faithful wine merchants. The uniqueness of Didier Barral's wines, their deeply original and nobly peasant character, make them an essential reference in the Languedoc.
Customer reviews
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