Domaine Danjou Banessy - Les Myrs 2023
Domaine Danjou-Banessy is one of the deepest signatures of Roussillon, located in Espira-de-l’Agly, in the Agly valley. Benoît and Sébastien Danjou continue a family story by revealing Catalan terroirs marked by schist, marl, limestone, and Mediterranean light. Their work is part of organic viticulture, accompanied by biodynamic practices, with a constant search for precision, freshness, and expression of the place. Les Myrs holds a unique place in the range, as this cuvée highlights Carignan, the historic grape variety of Roussillon, in a noble, infused, and deeply mineral version. The old vines give the wine a natural intensity, but the domaine’s style avoids any heaviness by privileging length and finesse of texture. The 2023 vintage confirms this elegant reading of the South, with a red that is both Mediterranean, vibrant, and very precise. Domaine Danjou-Banessy Les Myrs 2023 thus presents itself as a great Catalan Carignan, refined, pure, and crafted for aging.
The Les Myrs 2023 cuvée is made from 100% Carignan, grown on schist terroirs that give the wine its depth, tension, and mineral signature. This grape variety, long associated with robust wines, takes on a more subtle dimension here thanks to the age of the vines and a vinification based on infusion. Whole cluster harvesting brings a floral, spicy, and airy dimension while structuring the wine with finesse. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, respecting the grape and the vintage. Gentle extraction preserves a silky texture without harshness, while 20 months of aging in used barrels refines the texture without imposing dominant oak. Les Myrs 2023 thus expresses a Carignan with character, supported by black fruits, spices, zesty freshness, and a sensation of warm stone. It is a wine of patience, ideally requiring aeration in its youth to reveal all its complexity.
On tasting, Domaine Danjou-Banessy Les Myrs 2023 shows a deep, bright red color with dark reflections. The nose may evoke blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, wild raspberry, violet, pepper, dry spices, garrigue, and a fine smoky touch. On the palate, the wine is deep but infused, with a supple texture, fine tannins, and freshness that extends the whole. Carignan brings a zesty energy, a spicy framework, and beautiful sapidity, while the schists reinforce the mineral finish. The balance relies more on precision and persistence than on power, in an elegant and very digestible style. This red from Roussillon will ideally accompany roasted lamb, aged ribeye steak, spiced duck, Catalan stew, lamb tagine, confit vegetables, or Mediterranean herb cuisine. It can be enjoyed after decanting but will gain harmony and complexity with several years of cellaring.
Grape variety: 100% Carignan
