This vineyard that used to be worked by Jacques Puffenay is also exceptional, especially for focussed, laser-pure Chardonnay. The plot faces due south and sits on extremely limestone-rich soil so pale it appears white, which imparts striking minerality, chalky freshness, and longevity to the wine. Since 2016, this plot has been bottled separately.
This vineyard that used to be worked by Jacques Puffenay is also exceptional, especially for focussed, laser-pure Chardonnay. The plot faces due south and sits on extremely limestone-rich soil so pale it appears white, which imparts striking minerality, chalky freshness, and longevity to the wine. Since 2016, this plot has been bottled separately.
Emeric Folat runs the tiny Les Matheny domaine in Arbois after working with Jacques Puffenay vefore his retirement. Similar faming, with tiny sulphor additions. A name to watch!
When Catherine decided to start as a vigneron, she pitched up with Emmanuel Houillon and his mentor, Pierre Overnoy and gradually started putting together a small Domaine – She has about 3.2 hectares around Marnoz and Arbois. She exploits about 1.5 hectares of this, ploughing with a donkey and a horse.
Domaine du Pélican was created by Guillaume d`Angerville of Volnay in Arbois in 2012. 100% Savagnin, topped up rather than oxidative, from the Grand Curoulet parcel.
Marie-Pierre Chevassu-Fassenet took over the family domaine from her parents, Denis and Marie, working from a farm on the plateau above Menétru-le-Vignoble, a few kilometres from Château-Chalon. 100% Savagnin, aged in barrel under a veil of yeast for at least six years and three months. Hachette called the 2000 un seigneur, a lord among wines.
Trousseau from vines over fifty years old planted over Jurassic marls in Les Corvées. The grapes were destemmed and spent eight months maceration in cuve with no pigeage or remontage.
Jean and Chantal Berthet-Bondet, he a former mayor of Château-Chalon, revived a domaine that had not made wine for 50 years and picked their first harvest in 1985; daughter Hélène now runs it, organic since 2013. 15 hectares, including 4.5 of Savagnin in Château-Chalon. Rubis blends Trousseau, Poulsard and Pinot Noir, destemmed with a brief maceration. Hachette calls the estate a very safe bet in the Jura.
Cotes du Jura Chardonnay Les Normins Les Marnes Blanches
A Côtes du Jura Chardonnay from old vines on white marl over limestone at Cesancey, in an organic estate. In the 2018 vintage the vines were 75 years old, yields about 20 hl/ha, and the wine was pressed directly and aged 23 months in 225-litre oak barrels.
Cotes du Jura Julien en Billat L`Enfant Terrible du Sud (Magnum)
Jean-François Ganevat, Fanfan, is the 18th generation of his family in Rotalier; he came home in 1998 after working as cellar master at Domaine Jean-Marc Morey in Chassagne-Montrachet, and farms biodynamically. This three-grape red of Pinot Noir, Poulsard and Trousseau was born of the 2017 and 2021 frosts: hand-picked, native yeasts, a year in conical wooden vats, no added sulphur. The Wine Advocate called him the most accomplished French vigneron" most readers had never heard of."
Cotes du Jura La Mamette Chardonnay Les Granges Pacquenesses
From the cellars of the Michelin 2* Hostellerie Jerome - never moved since original purchase directly from the domaine upon release. Stored with extreme care in the restaurant’s cellars.
Cotes du Jura La Mamette Chardonnay Les Granges Pacquenesses
From the cellars of the Michelin 2* Hostellerie Jerome - never moved since original purchase directly from the domaine upon release. Stored with extreme care in the restaurant’s cellars.
Cotes du Jura Melon a Queue Rouge Philippe Chatillon
Philippe Chatillon spent 18 years running Domaine de la Pinte in Arbois before founding his own estate in 2013: 3.5 hectares, organic and biodynamic. Melon à Queue Rouge, a red-stemmed relative of Chardonnay, from Passenans and made without added sulphur. One importer calls him one of Jura`s quiet masters.
From the cellars of the Michelin 2* Hostellerie Jerome - never moved since original purchase directly from the domaine upon release. Stored with extreme care in the restaurant’s cellars.
Cotes du Jura Sauvageon Savagnin Ouille Domaine Pignier
From the cellars of the Michelin 2* Hostellerie Jerome - never moved since original purchase directly from the domaine upon release. Stored with extreme care in the restaurant’s cellars.
Céline and Steve Gormally farm six hectares of 60 to 90-year-old vines at Passenans, between Poligny and Arbois, ploughing with a horse. The domaine is named for the dolomite (magnesian limestone) soils and is known for minerality and refinement; Julien Labet advised in the early years. Natural winemaking. Malgré Tout is a Jura red.
Emmanuel Lançon, who works in an entirely different field, fell for the Jura and farms just two or three hectares of indigenous varieties: tiny production, minimal intervention. Trousseau is the estate`s red with the most ageing potential.
Ultra Long Maceration: 8 months to be precise- This was a bit of an experimental blend of 45% Pinot Noir and 55% Chardonnay from old vines in “Les Nouvelles”. The white and red grapes are kept in whole bunches and fermented together on the skins. Reflecting the vintage, this is light, bright and delicately perfumed.
Vin de France Ploussard Au Fils des Generations Philippe Bornard (Magnum)
Philippe Bornard is a low-intervention grower at Pupillin in the Jura. His father was one of the legendary old guard, his son, Tony makes wines in a generally more easy going fashion. 100% Ploussard (Poulsard), pale, light and juicy.
Top tier Vin Jaune from a producer that has been making exceptional wines for at least the last ten years. The Montbourgeau style has evolved into something puristic, precise and lean.
