In the glass
Aroma: dark fruit, violet, black pepper, cedar
Palate: black fruit, spice, tobacco, structured tannin
80% Syrah from old altitude vines on Faugères schist. Aged 18 months in barrel with 30-40% new oak. Spicy, structured, classic.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-braised beef short rib
Structured tannin meets braised beef; cedar and tobacco echo slow-cooked depth. -
Roast leg of lamb
Black pepper and dark fruit pair with roast lamb and rosemary. -
Aged Comté
Spice and structured tannin balance Comté's nutty crystals.
History
Gilbert Alquier first planted Syrah from massal selection in 1960. His son Jean-Michel founded the estate in its modern form; in 2018 Sophie and Thibaud Bardi de Fourtou joined, and the estate became Bardi d'Alquier. Les Bastides is the Syrah flagship from old altitude plots.
- 1960 — Gilbert Alquier plants Syrah from massal selection
- 1989 — First vintage of Les Bastides under Jean-Michel Alquier
- 2018 — Sophie and Thibaud Bardi de Fourtou join Jean-Michel Alquier; estate becomes Bardi d'Alquier
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Bardi d'Alquier
- Grapes
- Syrah (80%), Grenache, Mourvèdre
- Classification
- AOC Faugères
- Oak
- Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 30-40% new
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- €35-50 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1989
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Les Bastides d'Alquier
What does Les Bastides d'Alquier taste like?
Dark fruit, violet, black pepper and cedar on the nose; black fruit, spice, tobacco and structured tannin on the palate. Full-bodied with a long finish.
When should I drink Les Bastides d'Alquier?
Drink between 5 and 15 years from vintage. The 18-month barrel ageing with 30-40% new oak gives the wine structure for the cellar.
What food pairs with Les Bastides d'Alquier?
Slow-braised beef short rib is the canonical match; roast leg of lamb and aged Comté also work well.
How long is Les Bastides d'Alquier aged?
18 months in French oak barrels, 30-40% new oak. The cuvée comes from old altitude Syrah plots planted in the 1960s.