Domaine Léon Barral - Vin de France blanc 2023
92/100
RVF
"An extraordinary white wine for connoisseurs!"
An unconventional and original cuvée from Léon Barral: a macerated white wine made from an old grape variety, Terret. It boasts beautiful depth and a complex bouquet. Note: this wine is intended for connoisseurs or those curious to explore new flavors!
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Eye
Orange-yellow color, very cloudy, with sediment present due to the lack of settling or filtration
Nose
Oxidative notes—which fade with aeration—of peach, lemon, and mandarin...
Palate
A lively yet supple attack of citric acidity, with hints of spices, mandarin, peach, and ginger; structured and complex, with a finish featuring subtle bitterness that stimulates the salivary glands
Serve
Serve at 12°C in a decanter
Open
Decant several hours before serving
Drink before
2032
Food and wine pairings
Pairs well with sauerkraut, a goat cheese and zucchini tart, white blood sausage with Port wine, or a creamy cauliflower soup...
Bettane & Desseauve
Selected Estate (An estate or winery that has impressed us with one or more of its wines, though we are unable to offer a general assessment of the style of its entire range)
About the estate:
A man of strong convictions, Didier Barral is among those who have given the most thought to soil management; he has been based at the estate since the early 1990s. The 33-hectare vineyard is situated on schist-rich hillsides and slopes sheltered by the foothills of the Cévennes. Didier Barral has reintroduced black pigs and 70 cows (which graze in his vineyards from October to April) and has strongly promoted mixed farming to foster the coexistence of various species of flora and fauna. The soil is not plowed to allow animal life to thrive. The winemaking philosophy leans toward so-called natural wines, with minimal sulfur added at bottling. There may have been some inconsistencies in certain vintages, but at their best, his Faugères wines are unparalleled. “Shouldn’t we accept a few minor flaws in the girl we love?” Didier explains. The estate did not send us any samples this year; we will provide a full update next year.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2026 guide) 92/100
Rated estate (2026 guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often boasting fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the wine:
Concise and unvarnished, in Didier Barral’s “old-school” style.
About the estate:
The exceptional schist-rich terroir of the Léon Barral estate winds its way through the hillsides of the hamlet of Lentheric. The vineyard is revitalized through cultivation practices that foster interactions between the animal and plant kingdoms, utilizing cover crops, organic matter, and natural fertilizers provided by herds grazing between the vine rows. These practices have advanced Languedoc viticulture as a whole and enabled Didier Barral to establish the estate as one of the region’s most sought-after. The wines’ very free-spirited style appeals to a large number of wine enthusiasts and wine merchants (the estate does not sell directly to individuals), while leaving others perplexed.
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