Domaine Cauhapé Jurançon Ballet d'Octobre / 2021 / 375mL

Description:

The Domaine Cauhapé Ballet d'Octobre 2021 is a moelleux Jurançon from South-West France, sweet but built around citrus and freshness rather than syrupy weight. In a 375mL half bottle it is sweetness on a small scale — enough for two glasses at the end of a meal without opening a full bottle you cannot finish.

Gros Manseng leads the blend with Petit Manseng behind it, and the aromatics run to candied grapefruit, quince and passionfruit, with a faint spiced-bread note underneath. The palate is honeyed and quite lifted, apricot and mandarin peel carried on the sort of bright acidity the Jurançon hills are known for.

Sweetness here is measured, closer to a demi-sec in feel than a botrytised dessert wine, and the acid line keeps the finish clean and long rather than cloying. Texture is silky through the middle, then the fruit tightens and dries slightly at the end, which is what makes a second glass easy.

Serve it well chilled with foie gras or a pâté with fruit paste, blue cheese, roast duck with stone fruit, or a spiced pork dish where a little sugar in the glass does the work. Fruit tarts and crème brûlée suit it, and it is more than capable on its own as an aperitif.

Drinking well now and over the next four to five years. Bear in mind a half bottle matures faster than a 750mL, so this format is best enjoyed on the earlier side while the citrus is still crisp.