AOP Faugères ‘Le Gaillard’, Calmel & Joseph, Languedoc

Use The Forks

Tastes like: Blackberry. Cherry. Rose petal. Violet. Tobacco. Menthol. Garrigue. Liquorice. Savoury. Ceder. Spice. Velvety tannins.

Faugères? Wines from this rarely encountered Languedoc appellation are rather elusive here in Blighty - and as the label suggests, this wine has a secret recipe from hidden vineyard plots to add to the sense of intrigue.

It leaps out of the glass with a veritable feast of scents and flavours from this intoxicatingly wonderful corner of France.

Well-defined red fruit, an appetising whiff of floral and oaky notes are all seasoned with the classic garrigue herbs of the Herault, like fragrant rosemary, lavender and sage.

There’s a LOT going on in the glass here and the Syrah 50%, Grenache 30%, Carignan 20% is separately vinified using minimal intervention and organic certified since this 2019 vintage. It’s vegan too, so what’s not to love?

France - 2020 - 13% - 75cl