Domaine Cottebrune, Faugères 2018 'Parole de Berger'

A truly lovely wine, and great value for what it is with 80% Syrah, Northern Rhône leanings. Aged entirely in Allier oak, 30% of which is new, it is a selection of the very best the estate has to offer. Complex and delicious in equal measure.

Drinking Dates: 2021 to 2030

Cépagement: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache (30hl/ha)

Soil: Brown schist

Upbringing: Handpicked harvest. Total destemming. Before fermentation, cold maceration for 4 to 5 days. After fermentation, a maceration at 30 °C. Malolactic fermentation in barrels. Each parcel is vinified separately in small vats to reveal the special characteristics of each. Cap punching and pumping over is carried out three times a day during the alcoholic fermentation. Once the sugars have been transformed, a hot maceration is carried out after the fermentation to add fat and to round off the tannic structure. De-vatting is guided by daily tastings. The total maceration generally lasts 3 to 4 weeks.

Aged 12 months in 100 % oak (30% new) from Allier and Nevers then 6 months in bottles before being marketed. Racking every 6 months.

ABV: 14%