Description
“Faurie has been one of the up and coming stars of Hermitage for over a decade but he continues to receive little acclaim. While his wines are full flavoured, they retain an elegance and finesse and, like those of Chave, start life very slowly…His winemaking style comes closest to that of Gérard Chave.” Robert Parker
Faurie’s wonderfully expressive Saint-Joseph Vieilles Vignes comes from just over 2 hectares in the out-of-the-way granite slopes in the Dardouille lieu-dit near Mauves (at the west end of Tournon). This site was planted in the 50s and 60s with a small plot added in the mid-80s. Vinification is as old school as it gets; 100% whole bunch fermentation for 15-17 days with no yeast additions, cap punching, pumping over, long maturation in 12 hl and 30 hl worn barrels and bottling without fining. Faurie’s Joeys – he also makes a regular cuvée – have been remarkable examples of their AOC, so it is with a tinge of sadness that we report that he has recently sold his St Joseph parcel to his son-in-law, Emmanuel. Not that Bernard seems too fussed! It’s all part of his plans to let him focus his efforts exclusively on his Hermitage plots. So the 2011 is the second last release of this wine and it is a wonderfully pretty and seductive example – a striking fusion of aromatic, supple red and blue fruits, pure, vibrant and juicy texture and a lengthy, ultra fine, perfumed close. Saint-Joseph in excelsis!
RRP $105
