Domaine de la Tournelle (Evelyne & Pascal Clairet), Arbois Fleur de Savagnin 2018

Reserve 2018 vintage of Fleur de Savagnin from Evelyne and Pascal Clairet in Arbois, Jura

An ouillé (topped, ie. not-oxidative) version of Savagnin that’s all about mineral finesse. Vineyard: grey marl soils. 30+ years old vines. Estate-owned, certified organic. Yields: 35–40 hl/ha. Grapes are hand harvested in small baskets. The grapes undergo a careful selection at the vines and are then whole-bunch pressed in gentle pneumatic press. After a short debourbage (settling), the wine starts to ferment (native yeast only) in tanks, then is transferred to neutral barrels (no new wood). The malolactic fermentation happens the following spring, with topping off every 10 days without sulfites for a minimum of 18 months. Bottled according to the Maria Thun biodynamic calendar.

Personality: stunning precision and minerality, wine to be enjoyed the whole evening as it shows more and more of its layers of flavor. Good with Asian dishes or (mildly)spicy foods.