Tasting Notes
Argile from Château Lafitte in Jurançon... What a wine! The whole wine is done in clay: fermented, matured and even bottled in terracotta amphora, with no oak anywhere near it. The result is about as pure and direct an expression of the site as you could ask for, all stone fruit, dried herbs and a saline tang, with the bright acidity and mineral drive that Jurançon does so well. It's not a big or showy wine, just a precise and seriously pure one. I've wanted to try these ever since I first came across them over in the UK, and they have not disappointed. This is exactly the kind of wine we're here to champion, so don't sleep on it. - Pete L
This is such an interesting wine that almost resembles a more concentrated aged Semillon. Intense lemon, lemon balm, straw, buttered toast, honey and an underlying gravelly minerality mark the nose and all compete for dominance over the course of the bottle. The acid is high, although not as searing as some dry Petit Mansengs can be with a body closer to medium. Fantastic. - Aaron C.
Château Lafitte is a tiny five-hectare estate in Monein, in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Jurançon. The historic property was revived by Philippe and Brigitte Arraou, with their son Antoine taking over in 2012 and pushing the domaine firmly towards biodynamic farming and natural winemaking.
The vineyards are planted predominantly to the local Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng, with Antoine producing everything from traditional dry and sweet Jurançon through to more experimental wines fermented and aged in terracotta. The estate is certified organic and biodynamic, while the cellar has been designed around gravity and minimal energy use. Wines like Argile take the approach even further, with Petit Manseng fermented and raised in terracotta without additions, filtration or added sulphur. These are distinctive, energetic wines that combine the natural richness of Jurançon with incredible acidity, texture and freshness.
| Product Type | Wine White Other Varietals & Blends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | South West France |
| Sub Region | Jurancon |
| Winemaking Practices | Natural |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |