The 2016 Faugères Boreas is 76% Syrah, with the balance split equally among Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre; aging was split between barrels (including some new) and tanks. The nose features a fetching combination of woodsmoke, crushed stone and anise, followed by blackberries on the medium-bodied palate. The wood is well balanced, playing a supporting role here, and offers just a bit of gentle tannin on the finish.