Faugères Tradition by Domaine Léon Barral

Structure

Bodymedium

Tanninmedium

Aciditymedium

Sweetnessdry

Finishlong

Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 3 to 12 years from vintage.

vintage3 yrs12 yrs14 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninMedium acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: red and black fruit, garrigue, rosemary, graphite

Palate: raspberry, cracked pepper, thyme, fine tannin, schist minerality

Old-vine Carignan-led entry red from biodynamic icon Didier Barral. From 40-70-year-old vines on Faugères schist; aged unoaked in cement and steel.

What it pairs with

Grilled lamb chops with rosemary
Old-vine Carignan structure meets grilled lamb; rosemary echoes the wine's garrigue.
Charcuterie board
Cracked pepper and fine tannin complement cured meats and saucisson.
Aged Tomme des Pyrénées
Schist minerality finds depth in hard mountain cheese.

History

Didier Barral founded Domaine Léon Barral in 1993 near Lenthéric in Faugères, named for his grandfather. An early proponent of biodynamic farming and animal-driven viticulture, with cows and pigs grazing between vine rows. The Tradition is the entry-level red, sourced from 40-70-year-old Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault vines on 14 hectares of schist.

1993: Didier Barral founds the estate, named for his grandfather Léon
2002: Estate certified biodynamic

Facts

Producer: Domaine Léon Barral · visiting guide
Grapes: Carignan (55%), Grenache (25%), Cinsault (20%)
Classification: AOC Faugères
Oak: Aged 24 months in cement and stainless steel tanks; no oak
ABV: 13.5%
Price: €25-35 at retail
Drinking window: 3-12 from vintage
First vintage: 1993
Biodynamic: Biodynamic Practicing
Organic: ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Vegan: Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Faugères Tradition

What does Faugères Tradition taste like?

Red and black fruit, garrigue, rosemary and graphite on the nose; raspberry, cracked pepper, thyme, fine tannin and schist minerality on the palate. Medium-bodied with a long finish.

When should I drink Faugères Tradition?

Drink between 3 and 12 years from vintage. Brief carafe before serving helps the unoaked aromatics unfold.

What food pairs with Faugères Tradition?

Grilled lamb chops with rosemary is the canonical match; a charcuterie board and aged Tomme des Pyrénées are equally strong pairings.

Is Faugères Tradition biodynamic?

Yes - Domaine Léon Barral is biodynamic, with Didier Barral one of the earliest practitioners in Faugères. Cows and pigs graze between rows; no synthetic inputs.

Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Languedoc

Montpellier Wine and Oyster Tour

Day trip3h 30m4.9 from 78 reviewsfrom €85

In a typically Mediterranean landscape, discover two of the region’s greatest treasures on this unforgettable half-day experience combining fine wines, fresh oysters, ...

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