León Barral Tradition 2021

Leon Barral sits in Faugeres in the Languedoc, where Didier Barral farms biodynamically and works the soil with his own livestock rather than chemicals. The vineyards grow on schist, a fractured slate-like rock that warms quickly, drains well and pushes the vines to root deep, drawing out the savoury, mineral character that runs through the wine. The blend of Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault is suited to the warm, dry Mediterranean climate, with the older Carignan giving structure and the Grenache and Cinsault adding red fruit and lift. Farming without herbicides keeps the soil alive and the fruit healthy, and the wine is made with little intervention. Ageing runs for twelve months in used French oak barrels, chosen so the wood adds slow oxygen and texture without fresh oak flavour. The wine is a bright deep red. The nose shows wild red berries and plum alongside the dried herbs and thyme of the local garrigue, with black pepper and a savoury, earthy edge. The palate is medium to full, fresh and textured, with fine tannin and a long herbal finish. Serve at 16 degrees. It suits grilled lamb and herb-led dishes.