Jurançon Sec (White) 2009

This wine is always a blend of 60%-70% Gros Manseng and 30%-40% Petit Manseng, sometimes with up to 10% Petit Corbu added. With time these older vintages have developed some oxidative notes, along with hints of truffle alongside baked apple and ripe lemon. Tons of acidity and remarkable freshness and wines that can last another decade at least.

Story: For more than thirty-five years Domaine de Souch has been a leader in a modern style of Jurançon wines. Organic and Biodynamic since 1994, the southern-facing terraced vineyards are carved into steep slopes facing the Pyrenees Mountains. This is the flagship dry wine, and uses Gros Manseng riper, fruiter grapes and Petit Manseng that are crisp and fresh. Recent vintages are bottled in late September. Until 2015 the wine was bottled in spring but they saw it needed more time. Manu says “these older vintages are open now and at a great time to drink”. Best enjoyed at 8°C to 10°and younger vintages should be opened in advance or decanted.

Vinificationr: 40 year-old vines growing on clay and limestone soil with poudingue stones. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted several times to isolate the best possible quality. The wine is vinified in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh aromatics. Aged for 5-6 months in old oak barrels on the lees, this longer ageing allows the blend and integrate more. Manu says, “After 6 months, every barrel is a different wine so we need to blend them.”

Match it with: Cheese, poultry in creamy mushroom sauce, salty-sweet dishes.

aromatics of the Manseng grapes.