Viniou Reviews
Château de Cébène’s Felgaria 2017 is a distinctive red blend from the Faugères AOC within the Languedoc region of southern France. Typically, Faugères reds are a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and sometimes Carignan and Cinsault, with each grape variety contributing its unique character. 2017 was a year with significant drought and heat, resulting in lower yields but remarkable concentration and aromatic intensity. The terroir of Faugères is unique: schistous soils give a characteristic minerality and freshness, helping the grapes retain vibrancy even in a sunny climate. Vinification is usually attentive to expressing this natural elegance, often involving gentle extraction and careful maturation, sometimes in neutral vessels to highlight terroir purity over overt oak influence. As a result, Felgaria tends to display a deep ruby colour, with aromas of blackberries, liquorice, garrigue herbs, and a hint of black olive, underpinned by structured yet silky tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish.
The Languedoc region, and Faugères in particular, benefits from Mediterranean influences: hot, dry summers and mild winters with cooling breezes from the hinterlands. Schist soils dominate here, imparting freshness and salinity to the wines, while the rugged terrain and altitude help maintain acidity and complexity in the grapes. Historically, Languedoc was known for quantity, but over recent decades, producers like Château de Cébène have focused on quality and terroir expression, earning well-deserved recognition for nuanced, characterful wines.
This Felgaria is versatile with food, thriving alongside robust dishes. Classic pairings include grilled lamb with Provençal herbs, slow-cooked beef daube, or wild boar stew—dishes where the wine’s earthy spice and body stand up to rich flavours. Local specialties like cassoulet or duck confit also harmonise beautifully, as do hard sheep’s cheeses from the region.
To enjoy this wine at its best, serve at 16-18°C after decanting for an hour to open up the bouquet and soften the tannins. Felgaria 2017 can be drunk now for its vibrant fruit and complexity, or cellared for several more years to develop further tertiary notes.
