2022 Croix & Courbet Arbois "En Chemenot" Savagnin Ouillé, Jura, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

The Arbois lieu-dit of En Chemenot lies just east of the village (Domaine des Cavarodes bottles a Poulsard from the same site). The soils are blue and grey marl on this north-facing hillside plot at 350 metres’ elevation. The Savagnin was planted in 2004, and the vineyard is managed using organic and biodynamic methods. Courbet is delighted with the quality coming from these vines (a portion of which is also used for the Côtes du Jura blend).The winemaking here is similar to the Côtes du Jura—hand harvest, natural yeasts, low sulphur, etc. This cuvée was vinified in cement egg tank (90%), with 10% in a one-year-old barrel. Croix likes the tension and minerality the egg brings to the density of this vineyard’s fruit. And tension is again the word. It’s a denser and more complex expression than the Côtes de Jura blend, with a powerful, compact palate bristling with energy. It treads a fine line between crystalline, stone-like minerality and layered generosity, with a textured mouthfeel pulled taut by vibrant freshness and a nip of phenolic bite. 

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

David Croix and Damien Courbet’s friendship goes back about 20 years now. They met as they were both studying for their DNO diploma in Dijon, before either of them actually began farming or making wine. David, of course, then became the director of Maison Camille Giroud in 2002 and created his own Domaine des Croix in 2005, both in Beaune. Damien took over his family’s domaine in the Jura (Domaine Courbet).

Over the years, the two remained close, often using one another as a sounding board or tasting wines together. It wasn’t until 2019, though, that they decided to combine forces and make wine together. After a series of extremely challenging vintages and generational turnover in the Jura, enticing grape contracts were on Damien’s radar. David had always had a soft spot for Jura wines, and the opportunity to purchase impeccable, organically farmed (either certified or in conversion) grapes from great terroirs was too good for either of them to pass up. After years of working independently, the two were excited to work as a duo and create something entirely new. They made three wines in 2019, their first vintage.