Domaine de Cebene Belle Lurette Faugères 2016

Tamlyn Currin: 17 pts
Full bottle 1,334 g. Certified Ecocert organic and Demeter biodynamic. Mostly old Carignan bush vines (over 100 years old) planted on schist, with a little bit of Mourvèdre and Grenache. Very low yields (15–20 hl/ha), hand-picked, and fermented in small-parcel batches. Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel.

This has certainly gentled since I tasted it more than two years ago. Red fruit has filled all the corners and interestingly, the very dark, meaty savouriness is less pronounced. Although dark and rocky at its core. Spicy and still fragrant with a wind-breath of dry lavender and sage, and the tannins a little more rugged and raspy (in a very attractive sense) than the 2020. (TC)
Tasted 2 Sept 2022 Drink 2021 – 2026