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Domaine Léon Barral : Valinière 2005

Name: Domaine Léon Barral : Valinière 2005
Brand: Domaine Léon Barral
SKU: F1471/05
Price: 885 SEK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.48 (183 reviews)

Languedoc

Faugeres

- Red - See details

Parker | 94

5 310,00 kr Incl. VAT

(

885,00 kr / Unit

)

Packaging : a box of 6 Bottles (75cl)

1 x 75CL

907,00 kr

6 x 75CL

5 310,00 kr

Only 1 available

In-Stock

ALL VINTAGES OF THIS WINE

All Domaine Léon Barral wines

Marks and reviews

/100

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

David Schildknecht

2005 Faugeres Valiniere represents Barrel’s annual essay mostly in Mourvèdre. With spirit- and liqueur-like aromatics and a palate sweetness of cherry, blackberry, and licorice dusted with cinnamon and black pepper, it coats the mouth and simply won’t quit. But unlike Jadis, it completely hides its alcohol. Not that this wine is just about sweet, viscous fruit. High-toned suggestions of herbal distillate and parsnip, a soy-like savor, and notes of wet stone and pencil lead emerge more prominently with time, promising a decade of memorably complex evolution. Didier Barral is a tireless experimenter who vigorously advocates highly original variations on biodynamics and ideals of integrated farming and viticultural sustainability, among the most conspicuous of which is his deployment of Jersey cattle and horses as both a source of fertilizer and an occasional crew in managing grassy vineyards that he proudly describes as looking “like the Pampas.” (Except that some of these breezy, forest-rimmed sites are rather steep to support that analogy!). Barral is keenly absorbed in the details of preserving plant and insect diversity in his soils as well as perfecting traditional, open-armed goblet (head-pruned) training of all his vines, and his idealism extends to keeping one-third of his vineyard land fallow on a ten-year rotation. Barral grows Syrah on his highest and northeast-facing sites “to preserve freshness and because Syrah is like Chardonnay — it doesn’t like the sun,” whereas his southern exposures permit Mourvèdre to ripen already by the end of September. With one exception, even Barral’s 2006 raw materials — consistently impressive and almost confectionary in ripeness — were not yet assembled when I visited him last December, so tasting notes on approximations to the eventual wines are impossible. Some of his 2007 lots had not even finished their primary fermentation at that point, yet were capable of displaying almost oceanic depths of minerality and more animal spirits than the hoofed herd wandering the estate’s vine rows. Would-be clients would be wise to make plans — or supplications to the deities of allocation — now, in hopes of getting a small share of Barral’s amazing wines. “Ripeness” here, incidentally, encompasses not only intense sweetness of fruit, but alcohol of 15% and up. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

Description

Characteristics and tasting notes for the "Valinière" 2005 from Domaine Léon Barral

Tasting

Colour
This red wine from France reveals a ruby hue of great depth. Its dark and particularly concentrated colour reflects the richness of its berries.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves complex, blending scents of well-ripened red fruits with toasted notes and sweet spices. Subtle touches of violet and white pepper further enrich this olfactory palette.

Palate
The attack offers a deep and remarkably balanced substance. The structure relies on tannins that are both firm and beautifully refined, lending the whole a perfect blend of power and elegance.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs wonderfully with full-flavoured meats such as lamb, game or aged beef cuts served with wild mushrooms. Bolder pairings are also possible with blue cheeses or dark chocolate desserts with toasted almonds.

Service and storage

The "Valinière" 2005 has reached fine maturity but still holds excellent ageing potential. It can be enjoyed with great pleasure until around 2035.

The quintessence of Faugères terroir by Domaine Léon Barral

The estate

Located in the hamlet of Lenthéric in the heart of the Languedoc, Domaine Léon Barral was officially founded in 1993. Representing the thirteenth generation of his family on these lands, Didier Barral now runs this estate, which has become a true benchmark. A pioneer of life-respecting agriculture, he has established a polyculture system incorporating livestock farming across his 60 hectares. The estate stands out for its holistic approach, creating a self-sufficient ecosystem where the vines thrive in harmony with the surrounding nature to produce wines of great authenticity.

The vineyard

The vines flourish on south-facing slopes within the Faugères appellation, at an altitude of around 300 metres. This exceptional terroir is characterised by poor soils made up of brown and blue schist, forcing the roots to draw their nutrients from depths of up to nine metres. Benefiting from a Mediterranean climate tempered by maritime influences and the foothills of the Cévennes, this vineyard is cultivated with naturally low yields, favouring optimal grape concentration.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes intended for the "Valinière" 2005 are hand-harvested following a rigorous selection process. In the cellar, fermentation begins spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts. The process takes place without any racking, in keeping with a minimal-intervention approach. The wine then undergoes a long ageing period of three years in barrels, allowing for a slow evolution and a harmonious polymerisation of the tannins before bottling without filtration.

Grape varieties

This wine is a blend of Mourvèdre (80%) and Syrah (20%).

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