2015 Domaine Berthet-Bondet Château-Chalon
WINEMAKER: Jean & Chantal Berthet-Bondet
REGION: Jura, FR
VARIETY: Savagnin
VITICULTURE: Organic
The Château-Chalon shouldn’t need any introduction. It is one of the most iconic and revered of all French wines and one of the most particular. It is the undisputed king of the Vin Jaune (yellow wine) style. The Jura’s Grand Cru. Of all the Vin Jaune we tried nothing came close to the harmonious style at Berthet-Bondet for its superb balance of off the scale complexity matched with freshness and the elegance of more delicate white wines. Expect wax, fresh nuts, dried corn, hard cheese, brininess and powerful citrusy acid structures in younger examples. For us it strikes the perfect balance of oxidative complexity from aging with freshness preserved thanks to intense minerality. The flagship wine.
Domaine Berthet-Bondet was established in 1984 when Jean and Chantal Berthet-Bondet bought an old domaine that had not been producing for over 50 years, bringing with it 3 hectares of old vines. Previous to this, Jean had worked for a year with Domaine Macle, the leading producer in Château-Chalon, before deciding to make the town their home. The Berthet-Bondets also purchased an old priory house perched right at the back of the village, with spectacular views down over Château-Chalon and its vineyards. Here, Jean and Chantal built a small cuverie and extended the original underground cellars to include a well-ventilated cellar ideal for the production of sous-voile wines such as Château-Chalon.