Danjou-Banessy Rouge 'Truffiere' 2023

Danjou Banessy Truffiere Rouge 2022 - Côtes Catalanes, France
$50     Soul Wine Price $42.50

In April of 2021 I wrote this about Banessy; “This is a property that, if it were in Burgundy, or even the Loire, would be so well known that we would likely not be able to get the wines. But they are in Roussillon, a relative backwater known for large production and “big” wines. These are neither. I loved the wines, and then for reasons I can’t remember they disappeared from our shelves. This can happen when wines come from unusual places, and push the boundaries of what that region is known for. But when I tasted this wine recently I just had to bring it back.

This wine comes from a 5 acre plot planted to Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Carignan Noir planted  between 1940 and 1960 in black schist and marl topsoil over a limestone bedrock. It is 100% whole cluster, lightly crushed and native yeast fermented. It is aged for 20 months in used barrels, 20 ppm SO2 added once before bottling, no fining or filtration, bottled by gravity on fruit days with rising, waning moons.

The wine speaks to the warmth of the south yet is elegant and light, with dusky fruit and spice and is surprisingly complex. I would drink this (on the cool side) with a wood grilled King Salmon of lamb. It is that versatile. (Michael)