La Dame Noire 2023, IGP Atlantique

In a year heavily affected by downy mildew, where the Merlot harvest was non-existent, Jurançon noir showed its rustic qualities. A small harvest, picked on 20th September, blending it with Mérille. Jurançon is a cross between Folle Blanche and Cot (Malbec). It's a hardy but fruity grape variety; this is the expression we aimed to achieve with fermentation in a small vat, run off after about fifteen days. Blended with Mérille and Béquignol, then aged for one year in amphora.

Why "Dame Noire" for the name of this cuvée? Because legislation prevents us from mentioning Jurançon noir on the label, to avoid confusion with the famous eponymous appellation. So, we named it Dame Noire, which is a secondary name for this grape variety.

2023 Vintage:

90/100 in the Guide des meilleurs vins de France 2024 by the Revue du Vin de France

2022 Vintage:

Pierre Citerne in the Guide des meilleurs vins de France 2024 by the RVF 'Dame Noire 2022 is a Jurançon noir offering a simple, flowing, and innocent liquorice-like gourmandise.'