La Croix Petite 2019
Domaine d'Escausses is the winery of the Balaran family from Gaillac in the French Tarn region. In this relatively unknown region in the French Sud-Ouest, not far from the historic towns of Albi and Toulouse, Jean-Marc Balaran works with different indigenous grape varieties and makes the wines according to the tradition of the Tarn. His wines are the reference for other winemakers in the region. Jean-Marc has since been elected mayor of the village.
| Country | France |
| Region | Gaillac |
| Wine maker | Domaine d'Escausses |
| Grape varieties | Syrah 45% , Braucol 45% , Cabernet Sauvignon 10%. |
| Terroir | The vines are 10 to 30 years old. The vineyards are located on the Plateau Cordais which consists of soft clay and limestone hills. |
| Harvest method | Handpicked |
| Vineyard treatment | Nee |
| Vinification | Harvested by hand and sorted on the table. 100% de-steking, crushing, cold pre-maceration (5°C). Maceration for 18 to 20 days. Microbubbling under marc of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon casks. The selection of the estate's best cuvées is aged for 12 months in 1/3 new oak barrels. |
| Impression | Purple red. Rich nose with aromas of black fruit and spices and a hint of vanilla. Firm, with a balanced, dense structure. Tannins and bay licorice in the final. |
| Did you know? | Because the red wines of Gaillac can be dark in color and strong in taste, they were mixed with Bordeaux in the nineteenth century to give it more color and substance. |