2019 Domaine du Bagnol 'Caganis' Cassis Blanc, Provence, France

2019 Domaine du Bagnol 'Caganis' Cassis Blanc, Provence, France

$37.99

A new cuvee from a prized part of the estate which focuses on a more divers set of varietals and older vines, from their importer: "This cuvée is produced from the vineyards of the former Domaine Saint-Louis Jayne, which Bagnol acquired in 2018: eight hectares of old vines in the most well-regarded sector of the appellation, on the breeze-buffeted slopes immediately under the limestone promontory of La Couronne. Former owner Laurent Jayne worked according to biodynamic principles; thus, vines and soil were already in excellent health at the time of the acquisition. As with the domaine’s flagship white wine, Marsanne and Clairette dominate “Caganis,” but the blend is fleshed out by Ugni Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, and Pascal Blanc, from tightly spaced vines between 50 and 60 years of age. Sébastien utilizes a brief pre-fermentation skin maceration for his basic Cassis Blanc but not with this cuvée, as the old-vines fruit from this sector provides stunning textural complexity on its own. Fermented and aged entirely in steel, “Caganis” is both more ample and more profoundly mineral than the flagship white, with notes of marzipan and waxy orchard fruit complementing the brighter citrussy tones. Its minerality is awe-inspiring: simultaneously smoky and crystalline, less extrovertedly salty than the basic cuvée but more palate-dominating, and intensely persistent, particularly on the wine’s long, tunneling finish. Aging seaside white wines is perhaps not a common practice, but Sébastien notes that the “Caganis” will improve for at least a decade in the cellar."

–
+

Specs