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We're very proud to be working with the witty and affable Jean-Francois Deu at Domaine du Traginer, and we have just received a new shipment of these delicious wines that belong on your table this season. "Banyuls and Banyuls Grand Cru are the appellations for France's finest and certainly most complex vin doux naturel" says says The Oxford Companion to Wine. Our tasting last winter of the Banyuls from Jean-Francois was fantastic, as usual, and we are glad to have these delightful wines back on our shelves.
M. Deu took over the family estate in 1975, named after his uncle Anicet who was the last mule-driver ("Traginer" in Catalan) in Banyuls. Certified organic since 1997 Jean-François began using Biodynamic methods in 2003 and the estate was certified Biodynamic in 2013 making real, living wines, some without sulfur. And the estate is an active member of the "Renaissance des Appellations" founded by Nicolas Joly - an agriculture closer to nature, respecting the terroir, giving new meaning to the appellations.
Banyuls
The red Banyuls are made with Grenache, Grenache Gris, and Carignan with the traditional method of "mutage" - the fermentation is stopped by addition of alcohol, followed by a long maceration and aging in 100 year-old barrels. The complex and delicious 2016 Banyuls Grand Cru was aged for 6 years. The Banyuls Ambré, made with Grenache, Grenache Gris and Muscat is from a solera dating back to 2000, yielding an astonishingly distinctive, long, and mineral wine. The Banyuls Blanc is aged briefly in stainless steel, giving superb aromas and forward fruit, perfect as aperitifs or with fruit deserts. While we may not share the French way of enjoying a sweet wine as an aperitif or with dessert, the sensational quality of these wines may encourage you to become a bit more French in your habits...
Collioure
The great vineyard work at Traginer produces Collioure reds from Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre and Syrah with great complexity of fruit and flavors of earth and minerals balanced by good acidity - real wines of terroir that express the schist soils and sun-baked hills of Collioure. The Traginer Collioure Blanc is simply outstanding. Made from Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and Vermentino, the wine shows subtle aromas of stone, white fruits, lime flower, brown spice, and anise, lifted by firm acidity. The palate is dense and very mineral with pear and dried herbs, very long, fresh and stony. Superb wine for a full-flavored fish, shellfish or white meat prparation.
Jean-François Deu at Domaine du Traginer is doing exemplary work both in the vineyard and in the cellar - these unusual, distinctive and delicious wines deserve your attention. (Thanks Amanda)
The wines have arrived in our warehouse and will be available Monday 7/3. Collioure wines discount 10%, Banyuls are net priced.
An outstanding and unusual white made by Jean-François Deu at the organic/biodynamic estate, Domaine du Traginer (Mule-driver) in Banyuls and Collioure. Made from Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Vermentino from low-yielding vines, on steep slopes of schistes above the Mediterranean. Tasted in January of 2023, the 2019 Blanc was showing beautifully with aromas of pear, apricot and citrus with hints of white flowers, stone and spice that continue on the palate which is round, dense, very mineral and long with good acidity, complex and delicious. Serve with a fish stew, fish in sauce, white meats and a wide variety of cheeses. Beautiful wine! David Lillie
Traginer 2021 Collioure Rouge CaracTerre
The new Traginer CaracTerre is made from 25% each of Grenache Noir, Carignan, Mourvedre and Syrah which undergoes a one month fermentation in tronconic foudres, with no added SO2, followed by 10 months in cuve inox. The CaracTerre is a bit lighter in body than the "Vielli Foudre" cuvée, but with beautiful vibrant blackberry/black raspberry fruit. This is a lovely Collioure to serve a bit cool with grilled meats this summer.
Traginer 2020 Collioure Rouge Vieilli Foudre
The 2020 Traginer Collioure "Vieilli Foudre" is from equal parts Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre and Syrah from the steep schist terraces of Banyuls-sur-Mer, this is a pure and concentrated expression of this dramatic coastal stretch of the Roussillon. Dark black red color. Lush aromas of blackberry, black plum, bitter chocolate, licorice, stone and brown spice. The palate is dense, ripe and supple with blackberry liqueur, earthy morello cherry, red currant and minerals, with cool citrus and red currant in the long finish. This is a beautiful Collioure that will accompany a steak, grilled meats, stews, grilled vegetables and tagines. Highly recommended. DL
Traginer 2017 Collioure Cuvée Octobre
Made from equal parts Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Syrah from Domaine du Traginer's organic vineyards on the steep slopes high above Banyuls-sur-Mer. A later picking gives a bit more alcohol than the "regular" cuvée, and a bit more density and ripeness. Dark red/black color with aromas of ripe blackberry and black-cherry with hints of citrus, rose, earth and licorice. The palate is supple, dense and ripe, elegant and a bit tight, and with a cool quality to the dark fruit due to good balancing acidity. Complex flavors of blackberry, tart cherry, prune, thyme and licorice linger in the long food-friendly finish. Decant if possible or hold for five years, drink until 2035 A great glass of wine! Serve with duck, coq au vin, steak, strong cheeses.
This is a gorgeous Banyuls Blanc, that is to say a Vin Doux Naturel (at 17% alcohol) made from Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Muscat Petits Grains grown in Traginer's organic/biodynamic vineyards above Banyuls. Beautiful aromas of lime flower, apricot, citrus, pear and almond. Very floral. The palate is deep and medium-sweet with candied citrus, apriot and stone flavors and terrific length. The 2021 version is just fantastic, there will definitely ba a bottle of this in my fridge all summer. Serve not too cool, as an apéritif or with desserts of peach, apricot, pear and melon. David Lillie
Traginer NV Banyuls Ambré (Solera 2000) 750ml
This superb wine is made from Grenache Gris, Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc and Muscat, from a solera dating back to 2000, aged in small, very old barrels. Complex aromas of citrus, tea, prune, flowers and caramel. The palate is balanced, with a pretty melange of citrus, white fruits, earth and secondary flavors, very long and lifted by nice acidity. A gorgeous vin doux naturel that will accompany aged cheeses, figs and foie gras, and it's sensationally beautiful by itself. Really a unique and delicious wine. DL
Traginer 2016 Banyuls Grand Cru 750ml
Grenache, Grenache Gris and Carignan, aged for six years or more in ancient barrels, bottled without fining or filtration. Jean-François Deu at Domaine du Traginer makes elegant, complex and beautifully balanced Banyuls at his organic and biodynamic estate. The 2016 Banyuls Grand Cru shows fabulous aromas of burnt orange, prune, lemon peel, rose, earth and aged cheese...for starters. Very deep and complex. The palate is ripe and a bit sweet, but refreshing and balanced by bright acidity with prune, apricot, red currant, rose and deep berry confit with citrus, brown spice, minerals and earth. Beautiful wine - great to sip by itself or serve with fruit desserts and chocolate. Highly recommended. DL