Clos Fantine Faugères 'Cuvée Tradition' Rouge 2019

Location: France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Faugères

Winemaker: Carol, Olivier, & Corine Andrieu

Grapes: Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (90+ year old Vines!)

Soil: Slate

Winemaking: 1/3 whole cluster, 2/3 de-stemmed fruit, fermentation with native yeasts in concrete and concrete élevage for 2 Winters. The land has not been filled here since 2014! Wine is bottled in late April unfined, unfiltered and with zero added sulfur.

From us at M&L: The Andrieu family are the stewards of about 30 hectares of very old vines (mostly 100+ years old) of Aramon, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Picpoul in Faugères. Three siblings, Carole, Corine and Oliver work without any employees and do everything required for their plots. This is an incredible undertaking, yet their wines feel effortless. They vinify traditionally; the Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre in the Cuvée Tradition is 1/3 whole cluster, 2/3 de-stemmed fruit, fermentation with native yeasts in concrete. It's aged in concrete for an additional 2 winters and is bottled in late April unfined, unfiltered and with zero added sulfur. This is classic Faugères with concentrated fruits, a lift of fresh acidity, and a fine balance of polish and comfortable rusticity. Enjoy with cassoulet or a winter veggie lasagna (who has time for ratatouille?!)