Domaine Ollier Taillefer
Castel Fossibus Faugères Mourvedre Blend
Faugères, Languedoc, Languedoc Roussillon, France
The notes below are all from the Grand Fete de Saint-Jean in Faugeres (well, this year it was in Laurens, which was a bit of a shame as Faugères itself is a stunning place with a great atmosphere). My general impression was that this appellation is going from strength to strength - it will be interesting to see where it will be in 10 years’ time. The wines were all generally of a very high level (the best from the producers that attended are listed below); from the most traditional bottlings to the more modern efforts (though even the most modern is by no means an ‘international’ wine). I’ve been coming here for more than a decade and the wines were very good back then as well. However, now there is clearly more of a sense of pride in the terroir and finely tuned craftsmanship across the board. There are a few older producers that have always made stunning wines but joining their ranks recently are a bunch of young winemakers who have discovered the untapped potential of the region. Definitely an AOP to watch out for!
Slightly disappointed that they didn’t bring out the current vintage of Fossibus but can understand why, as the oak tends to dominate for a few years. This is in a better place right now; the oak is more integrated and, although I preferred the GR (below) for current drinking, this will probably be in a better place in 10-12 years’ time.
The notes below are all from the Grand Fete de Saint-Jean in Faugeres (well, this year it was in Laurens, which was a bit of a shame as Faugères itself is a stunning place with a great atmosphere). My general impression was that this appellation is going from strength to strength - it will be interesting to see where it will be in 10 years’ time. The wines were all generally of a very high level (the best from the producers that attended are listed below); from the most traditional bottlings to the more modern efforts (though even the most modern is by no means an ‘international’ wine). I’ve been coming here for more than a decade and the wines were very good back then as well. However, now there is clearly more of a sense of pride in the terroir and finely tuned craftsmanship across the board. There are a few older producers that have always made stunning wines but joining their ranks recently are a bunch of young winemakers who have discovered the untapped potential of the region. Definitely an AOP to watch out for!
Slightly disappointed that they didn’t bring out the current vintage of Fossibus but can understand why, as the oak tends to dominate for a few years. This is in a better place right now; the oak is more integrated and, although I preferred the GR (below) for current drinking, this will probably be in a better place in 10-12 years’ time.
Top end Faugeres in excellent shape, though still a good 6-8 years from its peak. Just returning from a dumb phase and heavy with blackberries, pumbs, pepper, and hints of leather and oak (though not too much). Glad I bought a few cases of this from them at the Fête de Bacchus back in 2009.
Top end Faugeres in excellent shape, though still a good 6-8 years from its peak. Just returning from a dumb phase and heavy with blackberries, pumbs, pepper, and hints of leather and oak (though not too much). Glad I bought a few cases of this from them at the Fête de Bacchus back in 2009.
Jan 13th, 2018