Felgaria by Domaine de Cébène

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: blackberry, leather, violet, garrigue, tobacco

Palate: black plum, graphite, cocoa, firm tannin, long saline finish

Cébène's flagship and the only cuvée to age in oak. Mourvèdre-led for the long haul, from north-facing Faugères schist parcels.

What it pairs with

Aged ribeye with smoked salt
Firm tannins cut aged beef; tobacco and graphite meet smoked salt char.
Wild boar civet
Game finds the wine's leather and dark plum depth.
Truffle pasta
Cocoa and violet aromatics find earthy depth in black truffle.
Aged Manchego
Saline finish and firm tannin balance hard sheep cheese.

How to serve Felgaria

Allow 90 minutes from open to pour.

Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving for vintages under 8 years old; pour into a wide decanter so the Mourvèdre-led tannins and leather notes can integrate.
Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature is the band. Mourvèdre shuts down below 15 degrees; above 19 the alcohol pushes forward over the saline finish.
Glassware. Use a large Burgundy-style bowl - wide enough to release the violet and tobacco aromatics that mark Cébène's barrel-aged flagship.
Pair with the food. Aged ribeye with smoked salt, wild boar civet, or aged Manchego. The wine wants long-cooked fat and savoury depth.

History

Felgaria is Cébène's prestige cuvée, the only one to undergo oak ageing. Mourvèdre-led, sourced from north-facing schist parcels.

2012 — First vintage of Felgaria released

Facts

Producer: Domaine de Cébène
Grapes: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache
Classification: AOC Faugères
Oak: Aged in oak barrels; the only Cébène cuvée to see barrel ageing
ABV: 14.0%
Price: €35-50 at retail
Drinking window: 5-15 from vintage
First vintage: 2012
Organic: ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Vegan: Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Felgaria

What does Felgaria taste like?

Blackberry, leather, violet, garrigue and tobacco on the nose; black plum, graphite, cocoa, firm tannin and a long saline finish on the palate. Full-bodied with a long finish.

When should I drink Felgaria?

Drink between 5 and 15 years from vintage. Younger bottles benefit from 90 minutes of decanting; Mourvèdre integrates slowly.

What food pairs with Felgaria?

Aged ribeye with smoked salt is the canonical match; wild boar civet, truffle pasta and aged Manchego are equally strong pairings.

How long is Felgaria aged?

Felgaria is the only Cébène cuvée to age in oak barrels - Brigitte Chevalier keeps her other cuvées in concrete and old wood.

Felgaria