2020 Domaine Ratte Grand Curoulet
WINEMAKER: Michel-Henri & Françoise Ratte
REGION: Jura, FR
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic
From a single vineyard plot in AOC Arbois of biodynamic and Demeter certified 80 year old vines. Grand Curoulet is very unique terroir of fossilised clay soils from the Jurassic period on which Chardonnay thrives. Harvest by hand and whole bunch slow hydraulic press into stainless steel for wild fermentation. Upbringing in old oak barrels from Meursault and bottled the following year without filtration or fining and sulphur only at bottling.
From first nose you know you are in for a treat. The intensity is just beautiful. You are hit with that Jura ozone freshness mixed with marzipan, lemon zest, stone fruit and a mix of cloves, cinnamon and white pepper over a smoky reduction that lifts all the nuances. It draws you in to take a sip. The texture is giving and leads all the flavours from the fossilised Marl soils of Curoulet. Lots of concentration and density to the fruit and pithy around the gums that pulls the roundness back. It has lovely progression like the best wines always do. Builds intensity as the acids give it line mixing with green apple skin, herbal bitters and a grapefruit like tang over a long mouth watering finish. You lick your lips as you go back for another sip. Just delicious!
In the town of Arbois, you will find the small Domaine run by husband and wife team Michel-Henri and Françoise Ratte. Vineyards have been in Françoise family for generations but they have always been under the shackles of a fruitier, selling their fruit under contract until now. In 2015 they broke free, not an easy feat considering you are usually signed for life here, and started making wine for themselves from some of the best terroirs in Arbois.