2019 Ollier-Taillefer Faugères Grande Réserve

Equal parts Carignan, Grenache and Syrah all farmed organically from some of the oldest vines on the estate, planted well over 100 years ago.  Hand picked, destemmed, and fermented with native yeasts. Everything is done in tank. Aged on its fine lees during a nicely relaxed élevage, this wine is a potpourri of Faugère’s aromatics—its black olives, thyme, sage, sea salt, and on the palate the sense of licking black stone (a classic calling card of schist soil). Full bodied, dark, brooding and impressively balanced, with plenty of tannic structure.  Average production is 2,500 cases. Drink now or over the next 5-6 years. The villages of Faugères their vineyards are the highest elevation in the Languedoc. This is the home of Ollier-Taillefer, a domain run by siblings Luc and Françoise Ollier.

93 points, Tim Atkin, MW. "One of the best value and most consistent Faugères out there. Oldest vines of the domaine, Carignan and Grenache up to 100 years old give wonderful weight and class. Fragrant and so well balanced with complex array of black cherry, black olive, graphite juniper and thyme. No oak. So many herbs going on and great tension from the high acidity on the finish. Schist definitely playing its part. 2023-2030."