Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Blanc 2019
| Article number: | 14849 |
| Availability: | In stock |
The first vines were planted in Cassis during the 12th century on the north, east and southeast slopes surrounding the village. Before Phylloxera destroyed the vineyards of Cassis in 1870, the region specialized in sweet wines from Muscatel, but when they replanted in 1892 the citizens of Cassis concentrated on planting grapes for dry still wines. Although the majority of Provençal wine regions specialize in rosé, Cassis is best known for the full-bodied, herb-scented white wines which make up 71% of production. In fact, white wines from Cassis were famous as far back as the 16th century. Because wines of Cassis are consumed locally by residents and tourists, very little of these wines are available internationally which explains why we snap them up the second they become available.
Jean-Louis and Sebastien control 42 acres of vineyards, 20 that they own and 22 that they lease. They received organic certification in 2014 and are practicing but not certified biodynamic. The average vine age of their head trained plants is 40 years old. Harvest takes place from end August to mid-September according the cycles of the moon. They harvest by hand in the morning to ensure the grapes are cool when they arrive at the winery.
The Cassis Blanc is produced from Marsanne (51%), Clairette Blanc (31%) and Ugni Blanc (18%). The Domaine has 22 acres of vineyards on north and northwest facing clay and limestone slopes for the white varieties with a vine age of 55 years. After harvest, the grapes are destemmed, crushed and if the skins are really clean, they macerate the juice with the skins for 48 hours before pressing. Fermentation takes place with native yeasts in temperature-controlled cement tanks and the wine is vinified completely dry. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve the freshness of the wine. After vinification the wine ages in stainless steel vats before being bottled between May and July the following year. The Cassis Blanc has a silky texture and smells and tastes of lemons, white flowers, lemon verbena and salty minerality. This is the perfect wine to serve with seafood or fish.