Domaine Léon Barral : Jadis 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of Faugères "Jadis" 2022 from Domaine Léon Barral

Tasting

Colour
This red wine displays a deep colour, ranging from ruby to garnet, with purplish highlights.

Nose
Wonderfully complex, it reveals aromas of ripe black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, mingled with spicy notes, garrigue, black pepper and black olives. Smoky, meaty touches and a subtle balsamic nuance complete this bouquet, underpinned by a characteristic minerality.

Palate
Full-bodied and fleshy, it offers remarkable density balanced by a vibrant mineral freshness. The tannins are refined and smooth, providing a fine structure. The finish is exceptionally long, extending the flavours for many seconds.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with a leg of lamb with Provençal herbs, peppered matured beef, or slow-cooked dishes with oriental accents. Game, mushroom preparations, as well as characterful matured cheeses will also enhance this wine beautifully.

Service and storage

With a solid structure, this 2022 vintage can be enjoyed in its youth for its intensity, but also boasts excellent aging potential, allowing its complexity to flourish over several years.

The intensity and minerality of a Faugères wine

The estate

Officially founded in 1993, Domaine Léon Barral is located in the hamlet of Lenthéric, in the heart of the Languedoc. Now run by Didier Barral, with the support of his brother Jean-Luc, the estate spans 36 hectares. A true pioneer, the domaine stands out for its holistic farming approach and its biodynamic certification obtained as early as 1995. The vines are integrated within a living ecosystem where polyculture and free-roaming animals play a fundamental role. This demanding philosophy gives rise to authentic and profound wines.

The vineyard

Located on the heights of the Faugères appellation, the vineyard benefits from a hot, dry Mediterranean climate, tempered by sea breezes and protected by the foothills of the Cévennes. The vines used for this cuvée, aged between 30 and 60 years, root deeply into soils composed of iron-rich red schist and blue schist. These unique terroirs retain water during summer droughts and release heat, promoting slow ripening. Yields are deliberately kept low, and harvesting is carried out by hand.

The vintage

The year 2022 was marked by demanding weather conditions in the region. The growing season experienced significant heat waves as well as water stress caused by drought. These climatic challenges naturally limited yields, resulting in a highly selective harvest of berries with remarkable concentration and intensity.

Winemaking and aging

The process begins with gravity-fed tank filling, without mechanical crushing. Fermentation starts spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts in concrete and stainless steel tanks. A maceration period of three to four weeks is carried out with regular manual punching down, followed by gentle pressing in an old wooden press. Aging then takes place over 24 to 26 months in barrels, with only 10% new oak. The wine is bottled without any prior fining or filtration.

Grape varieties

Carignan (50%), Syrah (40%), Grenache Noir (10%).