Cabidos Petit Manseng Sec 2007

The estate has been in the family since the 13th century when Navarre was a kingdom as powerful as the kingdom of France. Based in Bearn, but just outside the Jurançon appellation area and with Vivien de Nazelle at the helm, Domaine de Cabidos produces Vins de Pays made mainly from the local Petit Manseng. The sweet versions (les doux) are made using the ancient method of passerillage, which consists of dehydrating the grape by twisting the stem supporting the bunch. This cuts the supply of sap and the grapes are left to dry long into the autumn and sometimes into December. The results are stunning.

This dry Petit Manseng shows wonderfully ripe exotic fruit such as pineapple, and honey on the nose. The palate is well balanced and full bodied, with great acidity, minerality and complexity.