Valinière by Domaine Léon Barral

Structure

Bodyfull

Tanninfirm

Aciditymedium

Sweetnessdry

Finishlong

Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Best 6 to 20 years from vintage.

vintage6 yrs20 yrs22 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

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: black plum, leather, tobacco, garrigue, iron

Palate: black fruit, graphite, smoked olive, firm tannin, saline finish

Domaine Léon Barral's flagship cuvée. 80% Mourvèdre dominant from 15-30 year-old vines on 4.3 hectares of schist; aged in barrel (10% new). Built for two decades.

What it pairs with

Aged ribeye with bone-marrow
Firm Mourvèdre tannins cut aged beef; iron and bone-marrow find harmony.
Wild boar civet
Game's depth meets the wine's leather and tobacco core; saline finish balances richness.
Aged Manchego
Hard sheep cheese crystals find the wine's graphite and smoked olive register.
Slow-cooked lamb tagine with preserved lemon
Iron and saline finish meet North African aromatics and preserved citrus.

History

Valinière is the flagship of Domaine Léon Barral, sourced from a single 4.3-hectare biodynamic plot planted to 80% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah. The schist of Faugères and the Mediterranean climate suit Mourvèdre's late-ripening discipline. Aged in barrel with 10% new oak.

1998: First vintage of Valinière released

Facts

Producer: Domaine Léon Barral · visiting guide
Grapes: Mourvèdre (80%), Syrah (20%)
Classification: AOC Faugères
Oak: Aged in barrel; 10% new oak, balance old
ABV: 14.0%
Price: €55-90 at retail
Drinking window: 6-20 from vintage
First vintage: 1998
Biodynamic: Biodynamic Practicing
Organic: ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Vegan: Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Valinière

What does Valinière taste like?

Black plum, leather, tobacco, garrigue and iron on the nose; black fruit, graphite, smoked olive, firm tannin and a saline finish on the palate. Full-bodied with a long finish.

When should I drink Valinière?

Drink between 6 and 20 years from vintage. Younger bottles benefit from 90 minutes of decanting; Mourvèdre's tannins integrate slowly.

What food pairs with Valinière?

Aged ribeye with bone-marrow is the canonical match; wild boar civet and aged Manchego are equally strong pairings.

What grapes are in Valinière?

80% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah from 15-30 year-old vines on 4.3 hectares of schist at Domaine Léon Barral in Faugères.

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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