Terroir and Vineyard
The grapes are grown on north-facing schist slopes at 300m elevation in Faugères. The wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan, using both young and old vines from the area around the cellar at the top of the hill, called La Jasse.
Winemaking Process
Grapes are hand-harvested in small crates, with each parcel picked at strategic times. The custom-built cellar is dug into the rocks and surrounded by vines, allowing for gravity-fed processing. Each section of a parcel is vinified separately using indigenous yeasts, with no added sulfites during vinification. The winemaker employs gentle extraction techniques with soft pigeage and controlled temperatures. The wine is aged for a few months without oak.
Wine Characteristics
A la Venvole has an alcohol content of approximately 13%. It offers aromas of pure red and black fruits, followed by floral notes. The palate presents flavors of spices, garrigue herbs, old rose, and schist. The wine is characterized by fine, coating tannins with a light but present texture, described as juicy and easily drinkable.
Tasting Notes and Pairing
This wine is designed to showcase the elegance of Faugères while being suitable for earlier drinking compared to some of the estate's other cuvées. It's meant to be an accessible representation of the Faugères terroir. Jancis Robinson, MW, describes it as "Beautifully juicy, unavoidably swallowable."A la Venvole pairs well with lamb skewers, marinated squid and red peppers, fresh homemade pasta, and stuffed vegetables.