"Christine Dupuy took over Domaine Labranche Laffont in 1993, becoming the youngest female winemaker in the region. The vineyard, located in the small commune of Maumusson-Laguian, has grown from 6 to 20 hectares under Dupuy’s guidance, with organically grown native varieties- including Tannat, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng as well as Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The vines benefit from the silty clay and limestone soils, along with south - southeast facing, gentle hillsides around the domaine. The vineyard is certified 'ecocert', with Christine working mostly by hand in the vineyard. Soils are ploughed in Spring and Autumn; vines are fertilised using compost in the Autumn, and grass is left to grow between every second vine. 

Flor impressions:

You can find white wines made of Gros and Petit Manseng throughout the western Pyrenees, from Madiran to Jurancon, and finally Irouleguy approaching the Atlantic coast. The calling card of these grapes is their unusual combination of weight on the palate, contrasted with markedly high acidity. Even when allowed to hang into December, Petit Manseng retains its acidity, and this is even more true for dry wines, which are typically harvested in late September. In Madiran, white wine is called "Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh," a phrase borrowed from local dialect which loosely translates to "staked vines of the old country," a nod to the tradition of individually staking each vine in the days before modern trellising. This area, compared to Jurancon and Irouleguy, is the warmest of the western Pyrenean AOCs, and is capable of producing the richest, most hedonistically ripe and delicious examples of Gros/Petit Manseng wines. Dupuy's version is absolutely a benchmark for the region: intense flavors of golden apples, ripe, juicy nectarine and honey explode on the palate; its rich weight almost coats the mouth, while its electric acidity cleanses the mouth between sips. Heady aromas of yellow peaches and ripe apples jump happily from the glass.

-Gaston 4/18/24