2022 Jurancon Sec, 'Campsou Bengueres', Domaine Lajibe
The 2022 Clos Bengueres is quite different from the 2023, evoking an oxidative, reduced bouquet of nuts, walnuts, white pepper and crushed stones. Compared to the bouquet, the palate is very different, with a medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced palate enhanced by bright acids and a chiselled, saline and mineral finish. Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate Jean Baptiste Semmartin is one of my favourite discoveries of all; not part of a winemaking family he learned the craft of growing grapes and making wines a bit all over the place, starting in 2005 and working first in Bordeaux at Grand Puy Lacoste, in the Collioure, and then with Emmanuel Giboulout in Burgundy, one of the biodynamic pioneers in the region, and this is where it all fell into place. He now had his vision. Jean-Baptiste was a professional sportsman to begin with, playing and representing France in the national fencing team. He actually came to Sydney as a reserve for the 2020 Sydney Olympics! He found and started producing his first vintage in 2015 but the first captivating wine came in 2017 with his first HAURE, a very mineral dry Jurançon of incredible beauty. All of the wines he produces are made from those of the region, so - Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng and Petit Courbu. He works closely with the Estoueigt family (Domaine Larroudé), this is where his cellar is and are the parcels Haure, Carmaret and Serres-Seques. Here he was able to create the Domaine Lajibe and happily in the past few years has been joined by his partner Juliana.