The first vintage of Autre Pentes (translates as ‘other hills’). Almost as good as the Tauzy, just a step down, with a little less saltiness, a little less of the baked hay, and with a little more nuttiness. Think Chablis cross Viognier – ripe apricot, orange peel and a hint of lemon sherbet to finish off. It is bone dry and just so lip smackinging-ly good.

From 5 vineyards from 4 Villages in Jurancon, Cuqueron which is well exposed but also quite high, so you get a good balance, Monein (Coos area, across the valley from Castera’s vineyard and Uchaa area, from a neighbour) the wines from there are full bodied. Chapelle de Rousse and Lasseube are two villages which are much higher in altitude (350m to over 400m) than Monein (about 250m) and therefore provide some freshness and lift to the wine. The label represents a map of the vineyards in the appellation.

#Tasting#

Frank Lihour is a young, fifth generation winemaker from Monein, who has lit a fire under this sleepy region with wines that sing with Jurancon purity and terroir. Franck has made wines for over 10 years around the world (including, it turns out, at our friends at Beaumont winery in South Africa) where he picked up many ideas to improve the quality of wineback home. He gingerly introduced them to his father, and now has taken over full throttle, and wow, these wines are superb!