“Cassis wines are proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy."
- Benjamin Franklin
Okay, so I’m paraphrasing here, but the sentiment holds true…at least for me. If was given the chance to own a vineyard anywhere in the world it would be located in the tiny seaside hamlet of Cassis. More specifically, it would be the vineyard of Clos Ste. Magdeline. There is no finer, more-picturesque vineyard in the world, nor better example of how vines are an expression of the people, culture and cuisine that surround them.
Growing wine here is tough…not only in that the steep, craggy seawalls are treacherous for men and vine alike, but – surrounded by such scenic beauty – the real estate prices and pressure to turn vineyard land into condo developments mean winemaking is a costly proposition. Luckily for us there are folks like the Sack-Zafiropoulos family who are deeply committed to the land. The vineyard is organically-farmed, and the wines are amazing in their subtlety and versatility.
We were fortunate enough to have secured a small allocation of Clos Ste. Magdeline’s 2009 white, and it's textbook Cassis Blanc...subtle aromas of flowers, honey and nutmeats. There's ample acidity to balance the weight, and the wine practically begs for all things Mediterranean. Grilled fish, shellfish, hummus, tapenade...you name it, this wine will tame it.
Sadly, less than 10 cases of this stellar wine remain, and it won't remain here for long.
ITEM #52025
Ste. Magdeleine’s Cassis has Marsanne in it, almost 50%…At Cassis, where the vineyards are right on the Mediterranean, the Marsanne gives its honey with a smell of the sea (l’iode, as the French say). Vines were not planted at Cassis in order to receive high scores. Cassis was and is a fishing port where the people of Marseille like to play on weekends. Vines were planted in order to have something to drink with the local catch. Seafood. Cassis. It’s a natural.
—KERMIT LYNCH
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