3 products
3 products
- Red Wine
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - Sara d'Amato
A biodynamically-grown blend of grenache (40%), syrah (30%) and mourvèdre (30%) from the schist soils of the hilly, coastal appellation of Faugères. A low-interventionist style fermented spontaneously with 10 months of maturation in stainless steel vats and neutral oak. Clean and juicy with lively red fruit and hints of peppercorn, anise, pine needles, and juniper. Silky tannins and some warmth on the finish point to a riper vintage. Notably complex but effortlessly drinkable. Very good length.Tasted in magnum at Terroirs & Millésimes 2024.
- White Wine
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - John Szabo, MS
Old vines, rolle, roussanne and grenache blanc, this is subtle and remarkably fresh white wine from the Languedoc, especially considering the hot and complicated 2023 vintage, here registered at just 12% alcohol, but it's not one of those simply early-picked, hot climate whites without flavour. The magic of balanced, old vines, resilient and capable of even quality year after tear. There's pretty extreme sapidity on offer here, a real saline blast of limestone and blinding light, and terrifically lingering finish. One of Brouca's best whites yet, drinking now but no rush - would be interesting to follow this over the next half dozen years. Tasted December 2024.
91 points - Michael Godel
Normandy-born Frédéric Brouca is one of southern France’s experimentally sound winemakers, a master of wine-styling disguise and blender of reds, whites, Rosé and also those suspected of being Rosé. Here he takes on the IGP of Hérault with a three-part blend of grenache blanc, roussanne and vermentino that speaks to the earth beneath the winemaker’s feet. Do not come here looking and surely not demanding fruit. Yes the grapes are the source, are shown the ropes and work to address our wishes but fruitiness is not the matter at hand. Elements of the earth, especially silt and salt to the “soult.” That being the core and soul of what matters in making and delivering honest wine. That this is and in a most unintentionally intentional way. Drink 2024-2027. Tasted December 2024.
91 points - Sara d'Amato
Schist-grown rolle meets roussane and grenache blanc in this cheery blend from the Faugères region of the Languedoc where French sommelier and self-taught winemaker Fréderic Brouca and his Canadian wife Elaine have set down some roots. Brimming with notes of yellow apple, lemon curd, chamomile, wildflower, lemon drop, sea salt, and mineral, this elegant and effortlessly drinkable white is notably complex and authentic. Cleanly made in a low-interventionish fashion using wild yeast and no filtration. Enjoy now in its youtful and expressive condition or hold another 2-3 years in bottle. Certified organic and vegan-friendly. Tasted December 2024.
- Red Wine
- Cinsault
- Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Frédéric Brouca
Frédéric grew up in Normandy and met his Canadian wife Elaine at university in Lille, Northern France. They live a nomadic lifestyle (Canada, India, Singapore and USA) though Frédéric spends about half of his time in Faugères. Since early age, Frédéric had a calling for farming and the fierce desire to become a winegrower. After completing a Masters Degree in Finance in 2001, Frédéric went back to college for a Sommelier diploma and started his career as a Burgundy wine broker.
In late 2012, Frédéric and Elaine were fortunate to take over 25 acres of old vines in Faugères, organically farmed for twenty years and deeply rooted in schist soils.
2013 was the inaugural vintage for Domaine Frédéric Brouca. In his modest winery in the village of Laurens, Frédéric is creating a new vision for Faugères wines; fresh, vibrant and made without artifice. Nothing revolutionary, simply returning to our grandparent's ideology of farming and winemaking to craft 'Vins Vivants'. The Faugères Appellation is in the heart of Languedoc in the Hérault department. Here, winemaking dates back to the Greek times and was developed during the Roman Era. It wasn't until the early 1900's, however, that the wines became more widely known for its unique schist soils and moderate Mediterranean climate. These villages are heavily reliant on wine as an important part of their culture and economy.
The area is stunning with mountain views and close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea (20 miles / 30 kms). Faugères has a long history of responsible farming. It boasts the highest percentage of organic vineyards for any AOC in all of France with almost 50% of farmers making the choice.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Michael Godel
Samsó Seulle is varietal cinsault from 40-plus year-old bush vines on the 'La Serre' hill in Faugères. At the higher end for whole cluster ferments in the Fréderic Brouca range, here at 70 percent. Samsó is the local name for the grape and Brouca goes gentle and slow in his trenchant intention on how to deal with extracting without shock and awe. The grapes and thus the wine come out soft and “glissement,” even while the swarthy volatility runs knowably high. Brettanomyces yeasts are simply, allegedly and unequivocally part of the fabric but because flavours and textures are so pretty there is no chance of brittle or crumbly tannins. And so the overall effect is good, generous and proper. At least once in your lifetime your vinous imperative is to try a wine like this, especially from Brouca. Drink 2024-2028. Tasted January 2023.
92 points - Sara d'Amato
Named "Samsó" the local name for cinsault (and phonetically very similar), Brouca's fruit is sourced from organically grown, old vine cinsault that is over 40 years of age. Often vinified with a good deal of whole-cluster giving the wine its necessary grip and then slowly matured in neutral vessels to preserve the varietal character. There is more wildness in this cuvée than many of Brouca's others, with a palate that is brimming with dried earth, wildflower, and fresh herbs, along with a touch of mushroom and musk. A notably pure expression of grape variety and features the concentration one might expect from a low-yielding drought vintage. Notes of cherry, fennel and licorice root permeate the finish of very good length. Best now to 2028. Tasted January 2024.
91 points - David Lawrason
This is an organically grown single vineyard cinsault, a variety making paler, red fruited wines. It has a distinctive, soft ripe nose of strawberry jam, very floral lilac/peony, a touch of char and earth. There is also some meatiness expressed more on the palate. It is medium bodied, supple, warm and generous with slightly gritty tannin. Excellent fruit concentration and length. Tasted January 2024
90 points - John Szabo
Pure old vine cinsault (aka samsó) from the south of France, organically farmed and handled minimally, Brouca latest 2021 is a typically wild and vibrant, crunchy and juicy red declared at just 12.5% alcohol, part philosophy, part cooler, wetter vintage no doubt, and all the more lively for it. The palate is notably gritty with light but angular tannins bouncing off tingly acids, containing a mouthful of tart red fruit, from red currant to sour cherry, free from oak influence, but featuring lots of wild savoury herbs and twiggy flavours. The finish lingers surprisingly for such a light wine. Chill lightly and serve over the next 2-4 years. Authentic and honest; I like the lift and transparency. Tasted January 2024.