CONTRAST WINES

DOMAINE GUY FARGE

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I have known Guy Farge and before him, his cousin Elizabeth Faugier for 24 years, when I was looking for the perfect Saint Joseph, just before moving to the United States. I knew I had found that when I first tasted Elizabeth Faugier's wine. She does not produce anymore, but Guy's production is probably even better than what Elizabeth's. These wines are from grapes raised mostly on the Mont Saint Epine, a location with a superb reputation in the Saint Joseph appellation. The vines are planted on terraces and Guy uses a horse to work the fields.

A saint Joseph is a wine produced on the right bank of the Rhône river, just below the Côtes Roties, and until Saint Peray. We are there in the northern Rhône Valley. The Syrah is original from here, and a Saint Joseph is 100% Syrah. Syrah in these latitudes develops all its potential and is vastly different than in the Southern Rhône, let alone elsewhere in the world. We are looking here for freshness, aromas of violette, eventually black currant.
  • BOUQUET DE BLANC
Farge, Terre de Granit
This wine exhibits all the unique characteristics of a northern Rhône White, which is pretty much as good as it gets in that region. Its intense bouquet will seduce you instantly. It is the result of perfect balance, 1/3 each, between Roussanne, Marsanne and viognier. All three grapes are original from this area where they deliver their delicious aromas in the most elegant and exuberant fashion.

Aromas of fall fruits, notably apple, intertwined with white flowers. French spring and fall flavors united in an irresistible delivery.


Available at:


STORES:

* Southern Season: vintage 2016


(Substantial discounts for purchase by the case, including when mix and match)



RESTAURANTS:

* Bin 54, Chapel Hill: vintage 2016

* Parizade, Durham: vintage 2016.
  • BOUQUET DE SYRAH
Farge, Terre de Granit
A fresh and joyfully aromatic wine displaying all the special character of a Northern Rhône wine, with a little more acidity than in the south supporting freshness, and a bouquet all in the unadulterated Syrah's palette. With a dominant of blue fruits, blackberry, black currant, mixed with red cherry to make purple and intertwined with an unmistakably deep purple floral dimension on the violette.

A very satisfying medium body wine with some depth and terroir character reflected in a little edge or rugosity due to the sprinkling presence of pepper.

Available at:


STORES:

* Southern Season: vintage 2016


(Substantial discounts for purchase by the case, including when mix and match)



RESTAURANTS:

* Parizade, Durham: vintage 2016.
  • SAINT JOSEPH, TERROIR DE GRANIT
Farge, Terre de Granit
2014: This is the quintessential Saint Joseph. The body is thick and almost pulpous in a velvety way, rather smooth, although with a sensation of granularity coming from the peppery feel. The minerality of the soil exudes through that body which is magisterially balanced by a rich aromatic bouquet of red fruits topped by very present and persistent aromas of violet with a subtle note of guimauve (white licorice) in finale.

A beautiful wine, fresh and easy to drink, very "Gouleyant" for those who understand this untranslatable French adjective.


2015: a more solar take on the traditional Saint Joseph from Guy Farge, with more red fruit and intensity of extraction, yet the distinctive partnership of pepper and smoothness inherent in a Saint Joseph of good pedigree.


Available at:


STORES:

* Southern Season: vintage 2014, 2015.

* Asheville Wine Market: vintage 2014.

(Substantial discounts for purchase by the case, including when mix and match)



RESTAURANTS:

* Vin Rouge, Durham: vintage 2014.

* Parizade, Durham: vintage 2014.
  • SAINT JOSEPH, PASSION DE TERRASSES
Farge, Passion de Terrasses
2014: This wine is part of the high nobility in the Saint Joseph Kingdom. It comes from old vines and has a concentration of aromas persistent in mouth and very silky tanins. Like the Terroir de Granit above, the body is thick and almost pulpous in a velvety way, only smoother due to the remarkably rounded tanins. Similar aromatic bouquet as the Terroir de Granit above, only with even more intensity and delicious aromas of violet on a backdrop of cassis.

A superb wine, the word "nectar" comes to mind.


2015: while more solar, more intensity and extraction than the 2014, the 2015 vintage provides smooth, silky tannins, which while leaving room for the peppery nature of the body, promote an elegant delivery of its complexity, with a constant flux of mostly blue but also a zest of red fruit aromas, playing tai chi with the hovering presence of violette. The body is pulpous and not overwhelming in intensity, but persistent in concentration.


Available at:


STORES:

* Southern Season: vintage 2015.


(Substantial discounts for purchase by the case, including when mix and match)



RESTAURANTS:

* Bin 54, Chapel Hill: vintage 2015

* Parizade, Durham: vintage 2014, 2015
Guy Farge Saint Joseph
Guy Farge Saint Joseph in Opal Mood
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Guy Farge Saint Joseph