LEON BARRAL - Valinière - Nature 2014
Deep, lively and savory on the palate, a substance full of character but not devoid of finesse on ripe fruits and spices, a beautiful acidity bringing a lot of freshness, coated tannins, a persistent and charming finish.
Didier Barral has come a long way since his installation on the paternal schists of Lenthéric in the early 90s. In search of an authentic expression of his terroir, he spares no effort in the vineyard. Helped by his brother Jean-Luc, this stubborn and visionary winemaker has set up a cultivation method that respects the ecosystem, promotes interactions between the kingdoms, plant and animal, and strengthens the immunity of the vine.
On the cellar side, as the harvest is very healthy and the grapes of excellent constitution, the aging is "biblical". After some risks taken in the early 2000s, the wines seem to have returned to an excellent level of reliability. The simple faugères is an entry level with personalized aromas and soft tannins. Around the Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre trilogy, Jadis illustrates the power of the Barral style: a whole, ripe wine that speaks loudly but very well, with an expression that is always a little wild, that aeration refines. A minimal use of sulfur explains the volatile acidity which is sometimes high in years of great heat; acidity which, in the cuvée Valinière, enhances the cocoa and peppery aromas of syrah and mourvèdre. No direct sales to the property, but the Barrals gladly communicate the addresses of their loyal wine merchants. By their singularity, their deeply original and nobly peasant character, the wines of Didier Barral are among the essential references of Languedoc.
