Domaine du Bagnol 'Caganis' Cassis AOP Blanc 2020

The historic seven-hectare Domaine du Bagnol sits just a short distance from the center of the village of Cassis. The region was first planted with vineyards in the 12th century, which were replanted in 1892 after phylloxera wiped out many of the old vines. The domaine is located beneath the limestone outcropping of Cap Canaille, just 200 m from the shores of the Mediterranean, and as such, enjoys the benefits of cooling winds from the north, northwest, and northeast (the Tramontane, Mistral, and Grégal), as well as breezes off the sea. Jean-Louis Genovesi and his son Sébastien now run the domaine, which has been certified organic since 2014, and is now practicing biodynamic viticulture. A white wine of regal bearing from old vines in the best part of the appellation, ‘Caganis’ (“last-born” in old Provençal) is a blend predominantly of marsanne and clairette, with smaller amounts of ugni blanc, grenache blanc, bourboulenc, and pascal blanc, all fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel. Opulently textured on the palate, waxy golden apple and spiced Anjou pear meet overripe cantaloupe notes, all held high by an undercurrent of briny acidity. Creamy, velvety, and slightly nutty, the minerality is on full display here too, adding lingering smoky sea salt notes. The overall impression is one of voluptuous versatility, elegantly tousled by sea breezes. A slam-dunk with seafood like scallops, this is also a surefire winner with cool weather fare like roasted fowl and vegetables. And this white wine has serious ageability too - if for some reason you’re able to resist opening it all now, that is! Certified organic, biodynamically grown, low-intervention/natural wine.