Domaine de la Casa Blanca - Banyuls 2017
Price: $30.00
| Producer | Domaine de la Casa Blanca |
| Country | France |
| Region | Roussillon |
| Subregion | Banyuls |
| Varietal | Grenache |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Sku | 010855 |
| ABV | 16.50% |
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Created in 1970, Casa Blanca is one of the oldest domaine in the AOC of Banyuls. It consists of 10 hectares of carefully tended vines ranging in age from 70 to 100 years. Herve Levano, the current winemaker and co-owner, arrived in Banyuls in 1995 and bought shares in Casa Blanca in 2005. His goal, with vineyard manager Laurent Escapa - who has been with Casa Blanca since 1989 - is to make intense, flavorful wines that combine the best of traditional methods with the advantages of modern techniques. The vines grow on terraced, schistous mountainside vineyards located smack up against the Mediterranean Sea near the Spanish border. The steep slopes and very poor soil combined with constantly buffeting winds off the sea makes grape production difficult but yields great wines. The vines grow low to the ground and each must be planted, tended and harvested by hand.
The Domaine de la Casa Blanca Banyuls is made in a Vintage Port style, emphasizing the fresh fruit flavors in youth and meant for long aging. Made solely from Grenache Noir, the grapes macerate for 2 weeks after the mutage (addition of grape spirits to stop fermentation). The wine then ages in 400 liters old casks for 12 months. The result is a deep, intense wine with layers of flavors, ranging from cooked plums and dark berry fruits to chocolate and spice.
