Viniou Reviews
Domaine Cauhapé’s Cuvée Geyser 2023 is a dry white wine hailing from the Jurançon AOC, nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees in South-West France. This cuvée is a harmonious blend, typically comprising Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, and often complemented by other local varieties such as Camaralet and Lauzet, emblematic of the region’s white wines. The 2023 vintage benefited from a balanced climate, with the cool mountain influences extending the maturation period, resulting in an expressive wine with pronounced aromatic intensity. Vinification here tends to emphasise freshness and purity, with careful temperature control to capture the vibrant fruit and floral aromatics, while often seeing only a short time on the lees to build subtle texture.
The Jurançon region boasts a unique setting: rolling hills at the base of the Pyrenees, where the Atlantic breezes and mountain mists combine to lengthen the growing season and preserve acidity. The soils are primarily clay and sand, with pockets of pudding stones that aid drainage and promote mineral complexity in the finished wines. Historically famous for both its sweet and dry white wines, Jurançon’s winemaking tradition stretches back centuries, revered for wines that are at once fresh, aromatic, and structured—a reflection of its rugged, diverse terroir.
Cuvée Geyser’s often lively palate, marked by citrus, exotic fruit, and white blossom, lends itself beautifully to a variety of pairings. It is exceptionally well-suited to seafood, such as grilled prawns or scallops, but is equally at home alongside white meats in creamy sauces or fresh goat’s cheese—a classic match from the Pyrenean foothills. Regional dishes like garbure, a hearty vegetable and ham soup, or trout from mountain streams, are splendid partners, highlighting the wine’s natural vivacity.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine well-chilled but not icy, ideally between 8-10°C. Allow the wine to breathe for a few minutes after opening to fully reveal its aromatic complexity and texture. This is a wine that will delight in its youth for its freshness, but may also develop further nuance over the next couple of years if kept in good cellaring conditions.
