2024 Lionel Osmin & Cie Cami Salie Jurancon 750 ml

Jurançon is the best-kept secret in France.

The region’s dry white wines have a combination of electric vibrancy married to a seductive richness that’s exceptionally rare outside big-money white Bordeaux. But unlike their luxury-car-driving competitors, Jurançon’s best wines rarely make it to the States, and they’re some of the greatest deals in the white wine world.

This has not gone unnoticed among insiders: Last March, Parker’s Wine Advocate finally dove into the region, declaring the Jurançon’s wines “some of the most exciting dry white wines in the area,” noting “with the further appeal of competitive pricing, all the elements are aligned to make the appellation a top destination for wine lovers.”

The 2024 Lionel Osmin Cami Salié embodies the rich history and unique terroir of this ancient French appellation, which was famous as early as the 14th century. 

Named after the historic "Cami Salié" salt road, which once transported the precious mineral crucial for curing the famous Bayonne hams, this wine carries the essence of a land steeped in tradition and natural beauty. Benefiting from the area's warm microclimate, sheltered by the majestic Pyrenees and kissed by the Foehn winds from Spain, the grapes for Cami Salié ripen slowly. 

Lionel Osmin's masterful craftsmanship shines through in every sip of the Cami Salié, as it captures the diverse landscape of Jurançon in a bottle. Whether grown on the limestone-rich southern slopes, the clay and sandstone terroirs of the north, or the puddingstone soils of the central region, each grape contributes to a symphony of flavors. Rich, smooth, and bone-dry on the palate, this is a great food wine, the perfect accompaniment to grilled shrimp, fresh pesto with pasta, or Ossau-Iraty cheese. 

The chance to get a French white of this quality for this price is exceedingly rare these days. Don’t miss it.