Abbotts and Delaunay, Boreas Faugères 2010

Once a source of cheap plonk, Languedoc wines are now not only characterful and well-made, but getter ever more ambitious; at £16.99 from Averys, this Abbotts and Delaunay Boreas Faugères 2010 is certainly priced well above "everyday-drinking".

A warming southern red, with good structure, it is dark cherry red in the glass with a complex nose of ripe plum, earthiness, garrigue herbs and warm spice.

On the palate, there is ripe plummy, elderberry fruit, musky earthiness and bitter green herbs with peppery spice; there are savoury hints of cocoa and cigar box, the texture is mouthfilling with perfectly-ripe tannins and fresh acidity and the finish is firm, spicy and persistent.

A clue to the balance achieved in the wine comes from the altitude and exposure of the vineyards - the website explains that the grapes come from two terroirs: vines growing at an altitude of 200 metres with north/north-western exposure which allows for later ripening thereby preserving the grapes' freshness. The other vines face the sea with southern exposure, but are planted at an altitude of 350 metres, yielding rich, open wines.

Overall, this is a big, muscular yet also deft wine - rather like an American basketball player.

Match with big gamey dishes such as venison with a spiced cherry jus or, more simply, a lamb roast with garlic and rosemary.

£16.99 from Avery's; provided for review.

Other related articles
Abbots & Delaunay Alto Stratus
Abbotts & Delaunay Corbières Réserve 2010‏
Languedoc Character Sketches
Languedoc archive

Links
Abbots & Delaunay - website

Image credit: picture of John Amaechi from http://amaechibasketballcentre.com/TheClub/John/john3.jpg

This wine also reviewed by Sally Easton MW here: http://www.winewisdom.com/articles/producer-profiles/abbotts-and-delauney/