2020 Croix & Courbet Côtes du Jura

WINEMAKER: David Croix & Damien Courbet
REGION: Jura, FR
VARIETAL: Savagnin
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

100% Savagnin (ouillé). The Côtes du Jura is a blend of fruit from Arbois, Passenans and Château-Chalon. The parcels in Arbois (En Chemenot) and Passenans are both organically farmed, with Croix and Courbet both involved in the harvesting decisions. The third parcel in Château-Chalon is called En Beaumont and is described in more detail below.

In terms of the winemaking, every bunch was harvested by hand and the grapes went through a three-hour press cycle with whole clusters lightly crushed. All ferments were natural, and this cuvée was raised for five months in older barrels followed by 15 months in stainless steel tank. Every care was taken to keep sulphur additions in the range of 20-30 ppm (none was added during élevage and there was only a slight adjustment at bottling).

Pouring star-bright, the 2020 opens with impressive aromatics of florals, woody herbs and chamomile. Oscillating between fruit and spice, the palate is studded with notes of stone fruits, almond, pepper, walnut and dry herbs with a salty finish. It’s both savoury and wonderfully seductive; a Savagnin of striking depth and character, with a compact texture sculpted by powdery grip and an intense beam of acidity. Superb tension and class.