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Cellier des Chartreux

Chardonnnay aged under a veil of yeast for three years in oak barrels. A typical Jura wine.

One of our emblematic family cuvées; neither the winery nor the vinification methods have changed for centuries.

The Vines

Geography & Terroir

A plot called “En Boivin”, exposed to the rising sun in the Val de Vallière steephead valley in Montaigu. Micaceous blue Lias marls on clayey-silty soils. Excellent soil for Chardonnay in this plot planted by the Carthusian monks as early as the 13th century.

Plot

En Boivin.

Cultivation Techniques

Biodynamic vineyard, inspected and certified by Demeter France since 2003: we use horn manure (500P), silica (501) and herbal tea treatments. These techniques preserve the indigenous yeasts which contribute to the authenticity and purity of the wines. Our grapes are all picked by hand, sorted in the vineyard and rapidly transported to our cellars in small crates to avoid crushing the grapes, meaning that we need use little or no S02 during vinification.

Grape variety

Chardonnay with a yield limited to 35Hl/Ha (2.28 tons per acre) in order to maintain the natural balance of the wine.

Carte des vignes du Domaine Pignier
Ageing under a veil of yeast
Ageing under a veil of yeast

The Wine

Vinification

Slow pressing; fermentation and ageing in oak barrels for 36 months.
The wine is not topped up to compensate for evaporation, leading to the growth of a veil of yeast at the surface of the wine, which is thus protected from contact with the air and oxidation, and so develops the walnut and hazelnut aromas so typical of Jura whites.
Light filtration, bottled on a “root” day according to the lunar calendar, sealed with natural, fire-branded corks.

Characteristics of the Vintage

Spring was difficult and a cool and very rainy month of June led to a violent attack of mildew. But our vines held up well thanks to our biodynamic preparations. The hot, dry summer and a very favorable start to the autumn made up for the difficult spring conditions.

Alcohol: 13%
Total SO2: 64mg/L
Harvested on 6 and 7 October 2016

Tasting Notes

Beautiful gold colour, rich nose evoking the finesse of Chardonnay and the Jura terroir: dried fruits and almonds, hazelnuts and some buttery notes. Full and balanced palate with breadth and a very typical terroir presence. A wine with a solid structure that will preserve it over a long ageing period (30 years).

Food & Wine pairing

To be enjoyed as an aperitif with Comté, freshwater fish, white meats with creamy sauces and regional cheeses. Serve at 14°C, uncorked an hour or two earlier.

deco mets vins