Domaine de Souch Jurançon ‘Cuvee Monplaisir’ Sec 2020

Domaine de Souch is located on the first foothills of the Atlantic Pyrenees in the heart of the Bearn, situated near Pau and the Pyrénées mountains in the South West of France, – the original homeland of Henry the IV – at an altitude of 332m. The vines are planted on the hillside, facing south and overlooking the Pyrenees and the Pic du Midi d’Ossau. The estate has been under biodynamic management since 1994. Vines are planted on the south-facing hillside and are made up of 50 per cent Petit Manseng and 50 per cent Gros Manseng. These vines are known for their sweet flavours and late harvests. Aside from their unique sweetness, these wines are perhaps best known historically as those used to rub the lips of King Henry IV of Navarre at his baptism, granting him courage and charisma (so the story goes).

Domaine de Souch is a 6,5 hectares wine estate created by Yvonne Hegoburu,  a “Grande Dame” with a particular story. In the beginning of the 1970’s, Yvonne and René (her husband) found the ruins of an old house at the top of the hill of Laroin and decided to renovate it in order to retire there. Later, they retired together and had the ambition to plant a few acres of vineyards in the Jurançon appellation. However her husband René died prematurely before they could realize their project. A little while after her hubsand’s death in 1987, Yvonne took the decision to complete their dream and to honour the memory of her lamented René, she planted 6,5 hectares of vineyards around the house. After a couple of years, she produced her 1st vintage in 1990. It was well recognized and welcomed by the professionals which motivated Yvonne to keep going on. Friend with Pascal Delbeck, at this time vineyard manager of Château Belair in Saint Emilion, introduced her to the biodynamic principles in viticulture. Principles that she soon implemented in the whole vineyard in 1994.

In keeping with these biodynamic principles, the estate today continues to operate without herbicides or pesticides, and traditional ploughing is used on the earth. Her vines are effectively separated from neighbouring vineyards with woodland and other spaces, avoiding contamination. The trellising is unusual for the region, using double guyot rather than stake training, as is typical. Pruning is short, allowing for 25-30hl/ha yields. The soil of the estate is heavy, flinty clay, full of what is known as “poudingues”, calcareous components that are similar in shape to English puddings – hence the name. All the harvesting is done by hand, with pressing done in a pneumatic press.

Terroir: Clay and limestone soil with puddingstone, “Poudingue” in French. The vineyard is located on a upper reaches of a hilly valley side with south exposure facing Pyrenees Mountains and Pic du Midi d’Ossau.

Average age of vines: 35 years old

Vinification: Grapes are hand harvested and sorted several times to isolate the best possible quality. The wine is vinified in in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh aromatics of the Manseng grapes

Winefront

Domaine de Souch Jurançon “Cuvee Monplaisir” Sec 2020 – 93 / 100 Points

“Gros manseng and Petit manseng. Nice name for a wine. Wool jumper, cornflakes, pineapple and lime marmalade, fennel fronds. Fresh cut slightly under-ripe pineapple and lemon, juicy but with bite, ripe lime juice acidity and chalky texture, and a ripcord of tang through the finish. Excellent energy. Something different, and very good.”

– Gary Walsh