Description
The Faury family have cultivated the northern Rhône’s steep slopes since the end of World War II, when Jean Faury settled in the village of La Ribaudy and planted both vines and orchards. In 1979, son Philippe took over and the focus shifted to winemaking and expansion of their vineyard holdings. Third generation Lionel very much follows in his father’s footsteps, seeking to craft wines which capture the essence of place be it Saint-Joseph, Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie or the Collines Rhodaniennes.
The steep, largely granitic slopes are terraced, favoured by south to south- east exposure. Lionel’s winemaking remains non-interventionist: 100% gravity flow, very light filtration on whites only, temperature controlled wild ferments in concrete tanks, and a near absence of new and small oak in favour of older demi-muids and foudres. Lionel sees himself as a ‘custodian of yesterday’s world, an agricultural artisan’, with others to follow tomorrow.
2022 vintage – The hottest and driest vintage on record produced very low yields and heterogeneous quality. Spring was dry and warm leading to small canopies that struggled to ripen the below average yields. Heatwaves in June and July, without adequate moisture, put vines under an inordinate amount of stress but a mid-August rainfall saved the vintage from disaster. Whites are full and rich with moderate acidity. Reds are more variable, with those who picked early often showing wines with tense green tannin but those who waited for grapes to ripen fully after the rains producing excellent wines.
About this wine: 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier. Grown on Mica schist. The vines are cultivated on steep hillsides with a southern exposure (Fourvier locality).
Winemaking: Harvested in 50 kg crates, fermentation takes place in concrete vats for 3 to 4 weeks with a proportion of 60 to 80% whole clusters. The wine is then aged in demi-muids for 24 to 30 months, followed by bulk blending one month before bottling by gravity without filtration. The wine rests for one year in the bottle.
Dark ruby color. Complex aromatic profile combining aromas of black forest fruits (blackberries, elderberries, blackcurrants…) with floral notes (jasmine and violet in particular).
RRP $223 Our Special Price $195.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
