2015 Jean Macle Cotes du Jura Blanc

Region: Jura, France

Grape: Chardonnay

Culinary Suggestions: Comte Cheese, Clams/Mussels, Grilled Fish

Vineyard Practice: Organic

About

The Macle family started growing vines in Château-Chalon in 1850 and has been winemaking since the 1960s. 7th generation winemaker Laurent is currently working with his father Jean. Their cave is from the 16th century and their Château-Chalon is considered the Grand Cru of Jura. The liquid treasures of Domaine Macle are hard to come by. Even in France they are quite rare and the Domaine has not historically been exported from Europe. The Château Chalons have all the power of great Vin Jaunes, but the extra finesse, elegance and staying power that this little Grand Cru of Jura gives. - Importer Note

Tasting Notes

The textured classic 2015 Côtes du Jura should be bottled in June 2019, even though Laurent Macle thought it could do with another six months of élevage. This is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Savagnin aged separately with flor (under a veil of yeast), some of them declassified barrels from Château Chalon. 2015 is a powerful and ripe vintage that produced a wine with volume, power and depth, a little bit of a mini vin jaune, which took the character quite strongly. There will be three bottlings of this. After we finished tasting the wine, Laurent Macle confessed that the wine has the same level of ethanol as a vin jaune, so I was not that far off considering it a mini vin jaune.

(93-94) points - Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate June 2019

Drink: 2020 - 2030