Domaine De Souch Jurançon Moelleux Cuvée Domaine ‘Magnum’ 2017

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.

Croping techniques : Traditional ploughing. The vines have been under biodynamic management since 1994. Nothing detracts from the authenticity of the terroir, no herbicides or pesticides. The work of the human hand finds its true expression. Nettles, horsetails, columbines and chamomile stand guard…
Yield : 25 hl /ha
Harvest: Manual by successive sorting about 15 days after the dry domain just before the raisining.
Vinification : in temperature controled stainless steel vats, so that to preserve all the aromatic potential of the Gros Manseng.
Cellaring Potential: to be consumed within 15 years. Plenitude after 5 years

The grapes are harvested in several times to select the most suitable each time. They are partially destemmed and directly pressed. The fermentation with no added yeasts and the ageing are done in stainless vats. There might be a couple of soutirages (racking) but there is no fining. When bottling, the wine can be lightly filtrated.

Winefront

Domaine De Souch Jurançon Moelleux Cuvée Domaine 2016 – 93+ / 100 Points

Pineapple, hay and chamomile, sourdough crust, cumquat jelly, honey. Intense, tight citrus zing through pineapple jelly, flinty and chalky, a little brine and savoury biscuit flavour, a little herbal and sweet grassy almost spirulina edge, wheatgerm, glossy and viscous, with a long and tangy finish. So different. Pate please.

– Gary Walsh