Domaine de Faverand - Cariñena 2023
At the foot of Mont Ventoux, in the commune of Mazan, Domaine de Faverand cultivates a unique vision of the great wines of the southern Rhône. This small estate of about five hectares is managed by François Tessonneau, who worked for a long time alongside Emmanuel Reynaud, owner of the famous Rayas and Fonsalette estates. Since its first vintage in 2021, Faverand has distinguished itself by a pursuit of finesse and purity, favoring the expression of fruit rather than the power traditionally associated with southern wines. The vineyard rests on a mosaic of sandy and clay-limestone soils, where the old vines benefit from the climatic influence of the Ventoux. The estate places particular importance on biodiversity and soil vitality, notably through an agroforestry project. Among its various cuvées, Cariñena holds a special place: it highlights an exceptional plant heritage, made up of century-old Carignans. This rare wine reveals a particularly refined facet of a grape variety often associated with more rustic and powerful expressions.
Cariñena 2023 comes from a plot of black and white Carignans planted in 1923, on a terroir where sandy soils play an essential role in the wine's finesse. Black Carignan represents about 97% of the blend, complemented by a small proportion of white Carignan, a combination that has become particularly rare in southern vineyards. The remarkable age of the vines and their low yields allow for grapes with beautiful concentration while maintaining an original aromatic identity. François Tessonneau favors viticulture respectful of natural balances, attentive to preserving this precious plant heritage. The harvest is done manually, followed by a gentle maceration intended to promote a gradual extraction of aromas and tannins. Aging in stainless steel tanks then preserves the brightness of the fruit and the uniqueness of these old Carignans, without aromatic intervention from wood. This approach gives rise to a wine whose depth relies more on the quality of the raw material and the delicacy of its extraction than on a search for excessive concentration.
Domaine de Faverand Cariñena 2023 reveals an intense aromatic expression, dominated by ripe black fruits, cherry, and plum, accompanied by hints of garrigue, black olive, and Mediterranean spices. Upon aeration, notes of wildflowers and red fruits bring a more delicate dimension to this generous bouquet. On the palate, the wine has real depth but stands out especially for the finesse of its texture and the quality of its tannins. The freshness, particularly remarkable for a wine of this southern origin, brings liveliness and maintains a harmonious balance until the finish. The finish lingers on fruits, spices, and a subtle vegetal expression evoking the landscapes of Ventoux. Still young, this century-old Carignan has a structure that will allow it to gain complexity over about ten years, although generous aeration already allows one to appreciate its personality. It will pair particularly well with a Provençal herb confit lamb shoulder, roasted pigeon, veal chop with mushrooms, or delicately spiced black pork rack.
Grape varieties: 97% black Carignan, 3% white Carignan
