2020 Les Dolomies Les Combes Chardonnay

WINEMAKER: Céline Gormally
REGION: Jura, FR
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

Comes from cold and wet red marl. The vines are 70+ years old, originally purchased with the help of the Terre de Liens association, now produces more than very low yields, around 15hl-/- ha! The vineyard is situated in a very open small bowl, just below the town of Passenans on the Coteaux des Grandvaux and faces west. The wine sits on its fine lees in old Meursault barrels for 18 months, without bâttonage. Exotic, round and giving on the palate yet always accompanied by laser line of acid. Lot of depth on this old vine fruit.

Céline Gormally, who created her domain in 2008, lives by the saying from Saint Exupery “The earth is not ours; but lent to us by our children.” This rings true in all facets of how she manages her land. A woman with a spring in her step, she manages around 5ha of vines with the help of her husband Steve. The fields, as she calls them, are maintained without herbicides or pesticides. Using biodynamic principles and compost as fertilizer she eschews mechanised methods and distributes it all with donkeys between the vines. As former vice president and current member of ‘Le Nez Dans Le Vert’, she is committed to the organic lifestyle.

Les Dolomies takes its name from the magnesium limestone found in the area. The iridescent marls and limestone outcrops can be found extensively throughout the vineyards. They are one of the best geological soils for Jura grape varieties with their ability to disintegrate, allowing good penetration of the root network and make for an excellent water tank.