Bernard Faurie Hermitage Greffieux Bessards 2020

The plain gold capsule is Bernard Faurie's own mark for the blend of Les Greffieux and Les Bessards, one of three reds he has separated by capsule colour since 1994.

Hermitage rises above Tain-l'Hermitage on the left bank of the northern Rhône and is planted almost entirely to Syrah. The Faurie family have had vines on the hill since 1935, and Bernard, the fourth generation, worked a holding of about 1.7 hectares split between Les Bessards, Les Greffieux and Le Méal on soils of granite, quartz, clay and limestone. Some of the Greffieux Syrah is more than a hundred years old. Bessards is the steep granite at the western end of the hill and supplies grip and drive; Greffieux lies lower on deeper ground and gives the more perfumed, supple fruit, and blending the two is long-standing practice here. The soils are ploughed by horse. Reds are fermented with whole bunches in large old oak vats and then raised in used demi-muids for eighteen to twenty-four months. Faurie retired in 2020, handing the majority of the vineyards, the Saint-Joseph included, to his daughter and son-in-law.

Firm in youth and worth a decade or more in the cellar; decant. Serve at 16-18°C with roast beef, venison or a slow-cooked lamb shoulder.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.