2018 Domaine Didier Dagueneau Les Jardins de Babylone Jurancon Sec

Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre are the global benchmarks for Sauvignon Blanc, and there is no bigger name or more highly regarded producer in the area than Domaine Didier Dagueneau. Now under the guidance of Didier's talented son Louis-Benjamin, the wines still follow his ethos that authentic Pouilly Fumé requires healthy fruit from low yielding, old vines to produce the purest, and most intense and vibrantly fresh wine. That's not to say these wines are typical of the appellation. Given the severely low yields and approach to élevage, Dagueneau wines emphasise a creamy texture rather than bracing acidity, and combine mineral flavours with exotic fruits to supreme effect.

In 2002 on his search to find a worthy source of grapes to produce sweet wines, Didier Dagueneau happened across a spectacular natural amphitheatre vineyard in Jurançon at the foot of the Pyrenees. With the vines in good shape and only minor changes needed for his farming techniques, Didier set about to produce wines that highlight the natural minerality of the soil along with his trademark balance and poise. While a sweet wine is also made from this vineyard (100% Petit Manseng), this sec (dry) release is incredibly rare and utilises all five of the permitted grapes for Jurançon. Regional heroes Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng are included, along with obscure local varieties Courbu, Lauzet, and Camarelet, the last of which is the rarest of the group and is the dominant varietal in the blend. Winemaking is similar to the Blanc etc… release with both cigar shaped barrels and steel tanks used for maturation.