Cuvée de Drilles 2022
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 | Sud-Ouest |
| Wine maker | Domaine d'Escausses |
| Grape varieties | Duras 60%, Braucol 30%, Gamay 10% |
| Terroir | The vines are 5-40 years old and are located on hills of clay and limestone on the Plateau Cordais in the Gaillac appellation. |
| Harvest method | Hand harvested. |
| Yield per hectare | 5 tons per hectare. |
| Vineyard treatment | Nee |
| Vinification | Two-thirds of the must undergoes a classic 'Bordeaux vinification'. The remainder undergoes a 36-hour hot pre-maceration, followed by a low temperature fermentation (20 to 22°C). The wine is aged for 6-8 months in stainless steel vats before being bottled. |
| Impression | The Cuvée des Drilles is a relatively light red wine in which the red fruit of cherries, raspberries and currants dominates. It is slightly stale and may be served slightly chilled. |
| Did you know? | Years ago, several winegrowers in the Sud-Ouest started planting Gamay. They hoped to take advantage of the (then) popularity of the Beaujolais Nouveau That did not work. But the Gamay has remained in the region. |