Domaine de Fauterie, which was founded in 1981 and is located in Saint-Péray in the Ardèche, consists of hillside and terraced plots above the left bank of the Rhône. Since its creation, the vineyard has been impeccably managed by Sylvain Bernard, and now covers nine hectares of vines in the region’s emblematic appellations, including Cornas, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Péray and Côtes du Rhône. The winemaker, always seeking to produce authentic and surprising flavours, never ceases to refine his viticulture and vinification techniques to preserve the personality of the terroir. The vines are cultivated by hand all year round, and vinification is carried out naturally. Some of his Saint Joseph vines are around thirty years old, while those in Cornas are over 100 years old. This great diversity of soils, ages and exposure all contribute to creating wines with widely differing aromatic profiles, establishing the winemaker as one of the region’s most emblematic names.

Located on the eastern slopes of the Massif Central, which protects the parcels from the cold winds, the Syrah vines take advantage of the east and south-east orientation, along the village of Cornas. The old Syrah vines, the only red grape variety allowed in the appellation, grow in soils primarily composed of granite and clay sand. Since the vineyard’s establishment in 1981, each parcel has been cultivated to prioritise an authentic expression of the terroir by respecting the vintage and the soils. In the vineyards, every step is carried out entirely by hand. Once harvested by hand, the grapes are sorted once in the vineyard and for a second time in the cellar. The grapes are then vinified naturally, allowing the flavours and nuances of the terroir to express themselves. Finally, the cuvée is aged for around 10 months in barrels before being bottled.
The dark colour reveals an intense bouquet marked by aromas of black fruits alongside hints of spices. The powerful and fruity palate reveals some delicate aromas of liquorice, leading to a long and flavourful finish.