Deal of the week: Faugères “Jadis” 2020

Faugères Jadis 2020 is this week’s smart buy for anyone looking for a Languedoc red that is generous, refined and capable of developing with time. Between the sun-drenched power of the vintage, the mineral freshness of Faugères schist soils and the signature of an iconic estate, this cuvée brings together all the qualities of a wine with real character: black fruit, spice, depth, but also a sense of balance that keeps it from ever feeling heavy.

The first strength of Faugères “Jadis” 2020 lies in its balance: the wine has the density one expects from a great Languedoc red, but it is not defined by power alone. Faugères’ schist soils bring a sense of relief, a fresh and slightly stony framework that gives the tasting experience impressive length.

The 2020 vintage also works in its favour. In the south of France, it produced ripe, expressive grapes, with generous substance and well-built tannins. In a cuvée such as “Jadis”, this results in a fleshy, spicy wine that is already appealing, yet structured enough to wait a few years in the cellar.

Finally, the appeal of this offer lies in the relationship between the cuvée’s pedigree and the pleasure it brings to the table. Without reducing it to a simple matter of price, this is exactly the kind of bottle you choose when you want to move upmarket with a Mediterranean red: a serious, expressive, food-friendly cuvée that speaks both to seasoned wine lovers and to curious drinkers looking for a memorable bottle.

Faugères is a Languedoc appellation located in the Hérault, north of Béziers, on the first foothills of the Cévennes. It is famous for its schist soils, which store heat during the day and release it slowly, while encouraging the vines to root deeply. This terroir often produces reds that are ripe, spicy and structured, yet marked by a distinctive mineral freshness.

The “Jadis” cuvée is associated with Domaine Léon Barral, one of the most respected names in Faugères. The estate has built its reputation on a demanding, down-to-earth approach, attentive to the natural balance of the vine and to the expression of place. In the glass, this philosophy translates into wines of character, deep without being static, with a living dimension that goes beyond simple fruit ripeness.

The style of “Jadis” fits within this identity: a southern red built around traditional Languedoc grape varieties, often led by the trio of Carignan, Syrah and Grenache, depending on the balance of the vintage and the estate. The result is not a showy wine for its own sake, but a terroir-driven cuvée, with flesh, depth and real presence at the table.

The 2020 vintage gives Faugères “Jadis” clear fruit ripeness, with aromas of black fruit, garrigue and spice expressed with intensity. In the Languedoc, 2020 delivered beautiful balance when ripeness was well managed: the wines can show density, but also welcome freshness, essential for maintaining drinkability.

In this cuvée, you can expect generous texture, tannins that are present but polished by ageing, and a palate combining breadth and tension. Mediterranean warmth comes through in the aromatic richness, while the schist brings a fresher, almost saline sensation that lengthens the finish.

In terms of potential, 2020 offers two ways to enjoy it: the wine can be appreciated now after aeration, for its fruit and delicious appeal, but it also has the structure needed to evolve. Several years of cellaring will allow the spicy, smoky and balsamic notes to gain in complexity.

In the glass, Faugères “Jadis” 2020 generally shows a deep, dark colour with purple to garnet highlights. Its visual intensity announces a wine with substance, without necessarily suggesting heaviness: this is a concentrated red, but one carried by the energy of its terroir.

The nose evokes ripe black fruit, such as blackberry, blackcurrant and plum, accompanied by notes of pepper, liquorice, dried herbs, garrigue and sometimes a smoky touch. With aeration, the bouquet gains depth: dark floral nuances, sweet spices and the stony character of the schist become more clearly defined.

On the palate, the attack is broad and fleshy, with fine fruit density. The tannins structure the wine without hardening it, especially if the bottle is opened in advance. The finish lingers on spicy, slightly wild notes, with a freshness that reminds us Faugères is not only a sun-filled appellation: it is also a terroir of relief and tension.

Faugères “Jadis” 2020 calls for generous, flavourful food, though not necessarily heavy dishes. Its structure and tannins pair very well with red meats, especially grilled rib steak, herb-crusted entrecôte, hanger steak with shallots or a cut of lamb roasted with thyme and rosemary.

The cuvée also works well with Mediterranean dishes: lamb tagine with prunes, slow-cooked shoulder, stuffed vegetables, moussaka, Provençal beef stew, gardiane de taureau or grilled aubergines with spices. The wine’s garrigue and pepper notes naturally echo herbs, slow cooking and reduced juices.

For a simpler pairing, think grilled foods: artisan sausage, marinated skewers, caramelised pork ribs or grilled portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian option. The key is to choose dishes with flavour, a little fat or texture, so they can engage with the wine’s controlled power.

Serve Faugères “Jadis” 2020 at around 16 °C, or even 15 °C if the room is warm: the wine will naturally gain one or two degrees in the glass. Too high a serving temperature would emphasise alcohol and the sun-ripened impression, whereas serving it slightly chilled better highlights the freshness of the schist and the aromatic precision.

Aeration is recommended. Open the bottle one to two hours before serving, or decant it if you want to enjoy it in its youth. This oxygenation allows the tannins to soften and the nose to move beyond any initial reductive notes, gaining in fruit, spice and complexity.

The ideal drinking window depends on the style you are looking for. Right now, after aeration, the wine will offer straightforward, fleshy and expressive pleasure. For more tertiary nuances, cellaring until the end of the decade, or even a little beyond depending on cellar conditions, can be considered. Store bottles lying down, at a stable temperature, away from light and sudden fluctuations.

Faugères “Jadis” 2020 is first and foremost for lovers of southern reds who are looking for more than just sheer power. Those who enjoy deep textures, black-fruit aromas, spice, garrigue and present but well-integrated tannins will find this a very satisfying bottle.

It is also a fine recommendation for fans of terroir-driven wines, who are sensitive to soils, natural balance and estates with a strong identity. If you enjoy Languedoc reds, certain southern Rhône cuvées, schist-grown wines or bottles able to accompany a proper meal, “Jadis” 2020 ticks many boxes.

Finally, it is a smart bottle for building a small cellar without limiting yourself to the major classic regions. It will suit a dinner among wine lovers, an autumn or winter meal, a table of refined grilled dishes, or any occasion where you want to serve a Mediterranean red with depth, temperament and real personality.