2020 Ollier Taillefer - Faugeres Grand Reserve (750ml)

Here's a full profile of the 2020 Domaine Ollier-Taillefer Faugères Grande Réserve:

The Domaine

Domaine Ollier-Taillefer is a family estate situated in the northeast of the AOP Faugères appellation, in the heart of Languedoc. It is run by Luc and Françoise Ollier — brother and sister, fifth-generation vignerons native to the appellation — who oversee 36 hectares of vines certified organic. In 2020, Luc's son Florent joined the domaine, carrying the story into a sixth generation. 

The Wine

A blend of old-vine Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, vinified traditionally with a four-week maceration and aged entirely in tank — a true traditional Faugères that puts terroir front and center. The schist-driven soils of Faugères are key: the appellation's schist imparts notable minerality — lightly smoky, sometimes toasted — bringing great complexity alongside ripe fruit and freshness. 

Tasting Notes

Sweet, ripe, chocolatey plummy fruit with notes of roasted coffee and tobacco, meaty on the palate — earning a Bronze Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. James Suckling was more enthusiastic: a flavorful, well-balanced, and lively blend showcasing notes of currants, cured meat, cloves, and a touch of undergrowth — medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins, peppery and dense yet agile and juicy, with a delicious finish of excellent length. From organically grown grapes