Jurançon Le Dernier Carré 2019 Clos Cancaillaü

The Jurançon Le Dernier Carré 2019 from Clos Cancaillaü is one of the most precious and singular bottlings in the Lionel Osmin range, born from a 16-hectare family estate at the heart of the Jurançon appellation, run by Anne-Marie Barrère alongside her sister and mother at the foot of the Pyrenees. Its name tells the whole story of its creation: Le Dernier Carré, the very last patch of vineyard harvested, this small corner of land in suspense that waits until early November, just before the grapes tip into complete overripeness. The single harvest gathers within one vintage aromatic palettes and concentrations of incomparable richness and precision.

Terroir and vineyard

Clos Cancaillaü is a 16-hectare family property certified for High Environmental Value, with vineyards spread across two distinct terroirs: silico-clay rolled pebbles for the sweet wines, and pudding stone for dry whites. The Le Dernier Carré plot sits on this rolled pebble terroir, stones accumulated by ancient Pyrenean watercourses that store heat during the day and slowly release it at night, favouring slow, progressive and concentrated ripening of the berries. The blend comprises 60% Petit Manseng and 40% Gros Manseng, the two signature grape varieties of Jurançon. Petit Manseng, with its thick skin and small concentrated berries, is the soul of all great sweet Jurançon: its natural resistance to rot allows it to wait through November without degradation, concentrating its sugars and aromas with incomparable intensity and complexity. Harvesting is done by hand in a single pass, without multiple selections, to preserve the natural balance between freshness and sweetness that is the absolute signature of this cuvée.

Tasting profile

The colour is a brilliant golden gold, limpid and of pleasing density that announces the natural richness of the wine. The nose is expressive and complex, with a generosity and precision that marks Petit Manseng on rolled pebbles: aromas of candied mango and candied pineapple emerge with brilliance, accompanied by delicate and enchanting white truffle notes that are the most recognizable aromatic signature of this terroir. Touches of candied exotic fruits, acacia honey and sweet spices progressively enrich this bouquet with growing depth and complexity. On the 2019 vintage, sunny and of remarkable natural generosity throughout South-West France, these aromas express themselves with particularly striking density and richness. On the palate, the texture is airy and digestible, with natural and delicate creaminess: the sweetness balances with a vibrant freshness remarkable for a wine of this concentration, carried by Petit Manseng's natural acidity. The finish is long, tonic and persistent, with this return of candied mango and white truffle extending lengthily with absolute purity and elegance.

The house

Lionel Osmin & Cie is the only cross-regional signature for wines of the Grand South-West, championing the discovery of the unique grape varieties and terroirs of this often overlooked region. From Jurançon to Cahors, from Gaillac to Bergerac through Marcillac, the house selects and supports the finest producers in the region with conviction and rigour that make it a reference point for viticulture in Gascony and the Basque region. Clos Cancaillaü is one of its most precious jewels, carried by an exceptional winemaking family.

Food pairings

This Jurançon Le Dernier Carré pairs beautifully with pan-fried foie gras with exotic fruits, foie gras terrine with Jurançon jelly, blue-veined cheese such as Roquefort or aged Ossau-Iraty, apricot or mango tart, exotic fruit dessert or Grand Marnier soufflé. It can also be enjoyed as a prestige aperitif, lightly chilled to 9°C, on its own or with a few mouthfuls of pan-fried foie gras. A wine of great purity to savour now or keep in the cellar for ten years to reveal its full tertiary complexity.