FAT bastard

Brand Description

Good friends Thierry (renowned French winemaker) and Guy (British wine industry rebel) created FAT bastard almost by accident. It started out as an experiment Thierry had going in the back of his cellar, leaving a barrel “on the lees” (yeast cells). He didn’t know what to expect, but when he and Guy tried the wine, Thierry exclaimed, with a strong French accent, ”Now zat iz what you call eh Phet bast-ard!” This very British expression perfectly described the wine’s wonderful color and round, rich palate, so that’s what they named it. In 1991, Véronique Torcolacci obtained her degree in oenology from the University of Toulouse. She joined Gabriel Meffre as oenologist in charge of quality before becoming head winemaker.

Location of Vineyard

Produced in partnership with Gabriel Meffre and crafted from the low-yielding vineyards of the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, the wine is remarkably full bodied with a vibrant, fruit-forward style. It is no wonder that Time magazine has referred to FAT bastard as, “Wine for the anti-snob.”

Winemaking Philosophy

When crafting FAT bastard, the objective of Véronique and her team remains the same: never make the slightest compromise on quality. With this in mind, she regularly visits the Languedoc vineyards, meeting with the winegrowers and seeking out wines that satisfy her rigorous demands.

As someone who feels strongly about protecting the environment, Véronique raises the issue of sustainable development with winegrowers and always strives to respect the land and the grape varieties as much as possible during the winemaking process. Commitment and passion are the driving forces that have enabled her to rise to this challenge for the past 20 years. Thanks to her unique knowledge, she has obtained more than 100 medals, several 4- and 5-star ratings, and special mentions for her wines in all the major wine competitions and top wine magazines. Her skills have also made her a name throughout the profession, particularly in the area of wine bottle capping and corking.

 

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Winery Profile
Owner: Gabriel Meffre
Winemaker: Véronique Torcolacci
Founded: 1997
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Acclaim
“This Cabernet Sauvignon is the Goldilocks and the Three Bears version of “just right.” Deep ruby in color, the wine opens with black plum, black olive, red raspberry and cranberry. Raspberry becomes more dominant on the palate, yet allows other fruits to shine underneath.” – (Best Buy) — acclaim for 2021 FAT bastard Cabernet Sauvignon from Wine Enthusiast, Jun 2024
“This delicious red blend expresses aromas of crushed strawberries and dried rose petals on the nose. Juicy red fruit and supple tannins drive the palate, and dried herbs and a savory umami notes deliver some complexity.” – (Best Buy) — acclaim for 2022 les FRÈRES Bastards Red from Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2023
“Notes of vanilla bean and pear show on the nose of this white blend. Green apple and pear are complemented by dried-herb notes on the palate. The finish is bright and saline.” – (Best Buy) — acclaim for 2022 les FRÈRES Bastards White from Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2023
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