XXIII 2023

Domaine Castéra, located in Monein at the heart of Béarn, has embodied the Lihour family’s winemaking heritage since 1895 — though its roots trace back to 1743. Today, the estate spans 12 hectares of vines perched at 300 meters altitude, organically farmed and currently transitioning to biodynamics. Since taking over the family estate in 2014, Franck Lihour has drawn on experience gained in Corsica, Burgundy, Champagne, Napa Valley and South Africa. Trained notably with Sélèque and Larmandier, he has mastered Champagne-style pressing techniques that lend his Jurançons remarkable purity and vibrant tension. The vineyard is planted with native grape varieties — Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu and Camaralet — all hand-harvested with successive selections. Grapes are gently pressed in whole clusters, fermentations are carried out with indigenous yeasts, and sulfur use is kept to a minimum. Ageing varies from one cuvée to another, using barrels, demi-muids, stoneware eggs or cigar-shaped casks to refine without overwhelming, allowing the terroir to shine through. A brilliant discovery for lovers of great white wines !