Lionel Faury 'Les Hautes Ribaudes' Syrah 2024 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
Les Hautes Ribaudes is sourced from steep hillside vineyards in the Northern Rhône’s Saint-Joseph sector, where Lionel Faury farms some of the appellation’s most character-rich parcels. The slopes here are composed primarily of granite and gneiss, fractured and weathered into sandy, mineral soils that encourage deep vine rooting and natural low yields. These terraces overlook the Rhône River, which moderates temperature and reflects light back onto the vines, aiding even ripening. The 2024 vintage was marked by a warm but balanced growing season: sunny days were tempered by cooling winds descending from the Massif Central, preserving acidity and aromatic detail. The result is a Syrah that is supple yet energetic, deeply aromatic, and authentically expressive of its elevated, rocky origins. This is Northern Rhône Syrah with its trademark perfume, tension, and finesse, rather than weight or power.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Lionel Faury works with a light hand, emphasizing freshness and the natural expressiveness of Syrah. The fruit is hand-harvested and sorted to ensure precision. A proportion of whole clusters is included during fermentation, enhancing floral aromatics and providing a subtle structural backbone from the stems. Fermentation takes place in concrete and old open-top vats, with gentle punchdowns instead of heavy extraction, preserving finesse and texture. After pressing, the wine is aged for about 12 months in large, seasoned French oak foudres and older barriques—never new oak—so that wood plays a supporting role rather than defining the flavor. No fining and minimal filtration maintain purity. The result is a wine that balances lift and depth, with bright aromatics and a savory, mineral finish.

Tasting Notes
The 2024 Les Hautes Ribaudes pours a translucent ruby-purple, hinting at the wine’s finesse-driven profile. Aromas are vivid and layered: black raspberry, violet, pomegranate, and red currant, lifted by notes of white pepper, rose petal, and cracked green olive—a signature of Northern Rhône Syrah grown on granite. As it opens, subtle undertones of graphite, smoke, and dried herbs emerge. The palate is supple, silken, and quietly structured, with acidity providing definition and a fine lattice of tannin carrying the flavors across the palate. Fruit expressions lean red and lifted—raspberry, cherry skin, and blood orange zest—balanced by savory tones of peppercorn, cured meat, and warm stones. The finish is long, mineral, and perfumed, showing both delicacy and presence. This is Syrah rendered with grace, clarity, and aromatic precision.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve at 58–62 °F (14–17 °C) in a Burgundy bowl–shaped glass to emphasize aromatics and texture. A brief 20–30 minute decant will allow the floral and peppery elements to bloom. Pair with dishes that highlight herbs, smoke, or subtle spice: charcoal-grilled lamb chops, duck breast with black pepper and cherry glaze, lentils with thyme and roasted root vegetables, or wild mushroom tart with Comté. For a simple, perfect regional pairing, serve alongside sausages grilled over embers with a side of mustard-dressed bitter greens. The wine drinks beautifully now for its purity and lift, but will deepen in savory complexity over 6–9 years.