Domaine de la Casa Blanca Collioure and Banyuls The Domaine at-a-glance Owners: Hervé Levano and Laurent Escapa Winemaker: Hervé Levano Soil: Fractured Schist, Sandstone, Shale Year Est: 1883 Size: 8 Ha Location: Banyuls-sur-Mer, Languedoc- Appellations Produced: Collioure and Banyuls

Banyuls & Collioure: Pressed against the southern border between and in a dramatic juxtaposition of land and sea, are the four port-resort towns of Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer, and Cerbère. Here the vineyards of the small appellations of Collioure and Banyuls cling to the eastern edge of the Pyrenees mountain chain that falls into the Mediterranean Sea. These are some of the most breathtaking vineyards in France, terraced into steep hillsides composed of twisted, very old rocks—Precambrian schists and gneisses, and Cambrian shales and sandstones. The vineyards are so steep, and the soil so hard that this winery uses a robot that walks up the steep Hervé Levano describing the unique terroir slopes drilling holes to plant new vines in the hard, rocky soil. (Winemaker, and challenges of his steep, terraced vineyards. Hervé Levano, said the robot reminded him of something out of Star Wars). The thin soils, compounded by harsh seaside conditions (high winds and torrid heat), keep the yields of these terraced, bush-like vines at some of the lowest in France. These factors create optimal conditions for producing concentrated grapes, bursting with sugar, and balanced with acidity. The land suitable for growing vines is small: 1400 ha for Banyuls and a mere 400 ha for Collioure. For these reasons, the sweet red wines of Banyuls and the dry, concentrated red wines of Collioure are some of France’s finest and most sought out appellations.

About the Winery: Domaine de la Casa Blanca was originally owned by two partners, Alain Soufflet and Laurent Escapa. The domaine has been in Alain’s family since 1883. Prior to 1983 his family sold grapes and wine to a négociant. Alain began working the family domaine around 1983, and in 1989 he bottled the first vintage under his own label, Domaine de la Casa Blanca. Just recently, Alain retired and sold his share of the business to Hervé Levano who has worked closely with him at the winery over the past five years. The 2003 wines are still labeled with Alain Soufflet and Laurent Escapa as vignerons. However, all The rocky vineyards of future vintages will be labeled with the names Hervé Levano and Laurent Escapa. Banyuls

Domaine de la Casa Blanca, Collioure 2003

Technical Notes: The vines for this wine are on average 30+ years old. All of the wine is aged oak aged for 10 months in French oak barrels (400 liter and 500 liter, oak barrels that are from two to ten years in age). The grapes are hand picked in individual cases and are then trucked, through the winding mountain sides, down to the winery in small loads.

Tasting Notes: While dark, rich, and powerful this wine also displays the elegance that one expects from well made Grenache. Married with flavors of cassis and ripe red fruit are hints of chocolate and leather. The nose is full of spice, Syrah 50%; Grenache 50% garrigue, and red cherry. This is a full bodied wine perfect for both summer grilling and rich fall dishes like lamb stew.

Selected by: United Estates Wine Imports, Ltd. www.UnitedEstatesWines.com