Batch 2010 from Jean Luc Saur, Chateau Haut Fabrègues.

After a minimum of 5 years of maturation (this batch:10 years) in an oak barrel, distilled wine becomes the brandy of protected designation of origin, “Fine Faugères”. Once famed as “France’s third brandy”, production had ceased some decades ago until it was resumed at the beginning of the new millennium. Today we are the only distillery producing this Fine for the winemakers of Faugères. Each year we chose one of their wines to make our own vintage barrel.

Grape variety (Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Cinsault), the schistic terroir, distillation and the choice of the barrel are the elements that together create the characteristic sweet notes of fruit, vanilla and dries raisins that remind many rather of Rum than of brandy. Its uniqueness lies in the velvety softness and length of its taste.
We enjoy it with sweet dishes like grilled pineapple or almond cake, but it also accompanies perfectly a good stong black coffee – or the finish of your day.
By the way: an expert on Napoleon told us that the inventary of the wine and spirits cellar of Napoleon’s first wife Josephine lists a “Fine Faugères”.

43 % Vol.