Domaine Cauhapé Jurançon Symphonie de Novembre / 2022 / 375mL

Description:

The Domaine Cauhapé Symphonie de Novembre 2022 is a sweet white from Jurançon in South-West France, made from Petit Manseng picked late in the season and bottled here in a 375mL half. Sweetness is the starting point rather than the destination — the wine carries about 78 grams of residual sugar, yet the acidity of Petit Manseng keeps it bright and drinkable rather than syrupy.

Aromas run to quince paste, dried apricot, candied citrus peel and a little baking spice, with a toasty edge underneath. The palate is rich and mouth-filling, honeyed through the middle, then pulled taut by lemon and pineapple acidity that arrives well before the finish.

Texture is the interesting part: viscous without being heavy, the sweetness sitting on a firm spine that leaves the mouth clean. At 13.5% the wine has weight to it, and the aftertaste holds on citrus zest and stone fruit skin for a good while.

Serve well chilled with blue cheese, a slice of foie gras or a tarte Tatin, though this Jurançon also does good work alongside roast duck or a plate of jamón. The half bottle suits two people at the end of a meal, or one person who would rather not open 750mL for a single glass of dessert wine.

Drinking beautifully now and through to about 2032, with the caveat that a 375mL bottle ages faster than a full one — if you are cellaring both formats, reach for the halves first.