2022 Domaine Ratapoil Va Donc
WINEMAKER: Estelle & Raphaël Monnier
REGION: Jura, FR
VARIETY: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Certified Organic/Biodynamic
Certified organic Chardonnay from Raphaël’s vines in Vadans, between Arbois & Poligny, neighbouring Abergement-le-Grand, planted on marl & limestone soils. The grapes were hard-harvested & macerated for three weeks before pressing. After barrel ageing for over a year, the resulting wine was blended & bottled. Unfiltered & zero additions.
Preserved lemon, marmalade, curry leaf, yellow apple, quince, orange rind & subtle ginger/tumeric in tow. The palate has nice integrated tannins, dried apricots & just ripe mango skin. Sweet spice & mandarin. Fleshy feel with ripples of powdery tannin. Juicy citrus, light pear characters, licks of fennel & dill & saline acidity. Structured, savoury & complex. A unique wine exploring all the power of Jura Chardonnay.
Nestled in the bucolic heart of the Jura, Domaine Ratapoil has carved out a distinctive niche in the ever-evolving natural wine scene. Established in 2009 by Raphaël Monnier, a former history teacher, and his wife Estelle, the estate is the culmination of 15+ years of passionate winemaking that began as a side project with Raphaël's childhood friend, Jean-Baptiste Ménigoz of Les Bottes Rouge. The name "Ratapoil" itself, is a playful nod to local slang reflecting the Monnier's outsider status in the traditional wine world, embodying the spirit of hobbyist winemakers & newcomers who thrive in the region.
The Monniers’ garage winery, tucked just through the kitchen door, is a testament to their hands-on approach. Raphaël's winemaking philosophy favours minimal intervention; the wines begin their journey in small stainless steel tanks before transitioning into oak for whites. He harbours aspirations of someday using foudres for his reds, but for now, they largely reside in tank & amphora, allowing the terroir to shine through without the influence of heavy artefact.
Notably, a staggering 70% of the Ratapoil output finds its way into international markets, with the remaining portion gracing select bistros & caves across France. This rarity of direct-to-consumer sales, coupled with their off-the-beaten-path location, means that the Ratapoil wines are often discovered rather than sought out.