Faugeres: Chateau des Estanilles Grand Cuvee 2000
Description
A dense and powerful Vin de Garde with an impressive structure of tannins and thick black fruit flavours.
- Style: Red Wine, Dry (Sec), Full-bodied
- Region: Languedoc, Faugeres,
- Producer: Michel & Sophie Louison
- Vintage: 2000
- Grape variety (Cépage): Grenache Noir, Syrah
- Wine pairing - drink with: Beef, Casserole, Game
- Cellarage: Approachable now (if decanted) but will age well for a further five + years.
- Vinification: Low yields (circa 35 hl/ha) of hand-harvested grapes are pressed then fermented in stainless steel vats. After a long cuvaison, of around 40 days, the wine is racked into oak barrels for a 12-month élévage prior to bottling.
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 14%
- Full Tasting Notes (PDF): Download
Faugères: Château des Estanilles Grand Cuvée 2000
The ‘Grand Cuvée’ Faugères from Château des Estanilles is not cheap but does vividly demonstrate the depth and complexity that can emanate from the sunny schist soils above the village of Lenthéric. It is made from pure Syrah (with a notional splash of Grenache to appease the authorities) and is a dense, dark, opulent offering with a wealth of black fruit flavours and warming peppery undertones. It improves with bottle-age and should be decanted at least an hour before serving.