In Anne-Marie’s words 2021 was “a challenging vintage”. It was the same throughout France, with the first hit being severe April frosts. Jurançon was one of the luckier areas, with only minor damage. At the Clos de la Vierge estate that was thanks, in part, to the slope of the vineyards – frost tends to drift to the bottom of the valley, so if the temperatures aren’t too drastic, it only touches those bottom rows.

Then summer sort of arrived – although temperatures remained on the cool side. During cool summers, the team is constantly on the lookout for disease such as mildew. However, a relatively constant wind and the slope of the Clos de la Vierge vineyards help prevent this getting a hold.

Maturity came slowly in 2021, but that is a bonus in retaining excellent acidity and aroma in the grapes. In the end, there is a really delicious balance to this year’s Clos de la Vierge, with aromas of exotic fruits, yet still that bright, citrus and mineral core to keep that richness in check. In fact, the wine had such good freshness, the team were able to lees age the 2021 for 10 days, with more bâtonnage (stirring) too, both of which helps to build body and ‘gras’ (weight and roundnesss) in the wine.

Enjoying your wine:

Once your bottles have settled for a week or so, the wine will make gorgeous drinking. There’s no need to wait any longer. Chill it down gently and enjoy with fine seafood, weightier vegetarian dishes and, with a bit more maturation, it’ll be a top partner for cream-sauced white meats.

And if you enjoy a white wine to ponder over on its own, then Jurançon Clos de la Vierge will more than fit the bill.

Plus, there is no rush. The wine will make fine drinking until 2028, developing further richness and nuances of flavour. A delicious and intriguing wine.

If you are visiting southwest France, please get in touch and pay the ladies a visit – experience the beautiful vistas and the gentle pace of the estate all for yourself, along with a tasting of the wines in the cellar.