Domaine du Clos des Fées : Un Faune Avec Son Fifre 2020

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for Un Faune Avec Son Fifre 2020 Domaine du Clos des Fées

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep garnet hue, reflecting the vintage’s concentration and the grapes’ optimal ripeness.

Nose

The nose opens on an expressive bouquet of red and black fruit, with prominent blackcurrant notes. Hints of spice and garrigue add complexity, while a noble vegetal nuance—reminiscent of roasted red bell pepper—enhances the aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, the wine shows a confident yet elegant structure. The tannins, remarkably fine and silky, lend a refined texture. Freshness is clearly present, bringing balance and vibrancy, while the finish stands out for its fine length and aromatic persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal match for fine meats such as a venison filet, roast pigeon, or a rib of beef. It also pairs beautifully with characterful aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Un Faune Avec Son Fifre 2020 offers medium- to long-term aging potential, allowing for harmonious development in the cellar.

A bold red wine from Roussillon dominated by cabernet franc

The estate

Founded in 1997 by Hervé Bizeul, a former sommelier and journalist turned winemaker, the Domaine du Clos des Fées now spans around thirty hectares of vines in Roussillon. Based in Vingrau at the foot of the Pyrenees, Hervé Bizeul and his wife Claudine, co-owner, have built the estate’s reputation through a demanding and innovative approach to viticulture. The domaine has established itself as an essential reference in the region, recognized by the leading guides with three stars from Bettane+Desseauve.

The vineyard

The plots from which "Un Faune Avec Son Fifre" is produced are located in the Cassenove area, in the northern valley of Vingrau. Facing due north and sheltered by an imposing limestone cliff, these vines benefit from a clay-limestone terroir made up of Urgonian limestone. Planted at high density with 6,800 vines per hectare, the vines are trained as bush vines on individual stakes. This setup allows each vine to protect its neighbor from the violent Tramontane winds. Vineyard management follows sustainable viticulture practices, favoring manual work and respect for the environment.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage benefited from favorable weather conditions, enabling optimal ripening of the grapes. The harvest was carried out at ideal phenolic ripeness, preserving the fruit’s natural freshness while ensuring remarkable aromatic concentration for this
IGP Côtes Catalanes wine.

Winemaking and aging

Un Faune Avec Son Fifre 2020 is made using the "grains mêlés" method, with whole-cluster fermentation without destemming. Punch-downs and pump-overs are carried out manually several times a day during a maceration lasting twenty to twenty-five days. After complete malolactic fermentation, the wine is partially aged in new and one-wine French barrels, then refined in concrete vats before early bottling in the spring, thus preserving freshness and vibrant fruit expression.

Grape varieties

Cabernet franc (80%)
Merlot (20%)