Fabrice Dodane in his vines. Estate grapes go into his ever-rare Saint Pierre wines. (Photo: EL)

Ratapoil, Saint Pierre, Granges Paquenesses & Jean-Yves Péron: One-Stop-Shop for Low-Intervention Jura & Savoie

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First things first: Ratapoil is in! Many of you have been waiting a long, long, LONG time for the arrival of Raphael Monnier's small production wines from the Jura.

According to Selection Massale, Raphael's distributor in the United States, the word "ratapoil" means "hobby vigneron" in local slang around Arbois. As well as being a winemaker, Raphael is a school teacher, and "has no wish to choose between the two, though most likely the day will come when he’ll have to, as he plans to expand his holdings by at least a hectare in the upcoming years." His domaine began in 2009 after he worked for nearly a decade on a small Jura negociant project with Jean-Baptiste Menigoz of Domaine les Bottes Rouges. Most of Raphael's vines are located around the famous village of Arbois.

But it isn't just Ratapoil that we're excited about... Check out our new arrivals from Fabrice Dodane! We are lucky to have two new estate wines from Domaine Saint Pierre, plus two new bottles from his incredible negociant line, Dos d'Chat. Fabrice has been vocal about the impact of climate change on the Jura and how he and his neighbors are working tirelessly to innovate and survive in such a unpredictable environment. To read more about this, click here. Niether Saint Pierre or Dos d'Chat are easy to keep in stock - and what you see here is our entire allocation. Grab what you can!

Loreline Laborde (Photo: Weygandt Selections)

Before we head to the Savoie, we should also highlight Loreline Laborde's offerings frrom Les Granges Paquenesses. After completing her formal studies in viticulture, Loreline left the bustling city of Montpellier to make wine in the undulating foothills of Tourmont, a village near Poligny. She established Les Granges Paquenesses in 2010 with almost 2 hectares planted to Savagnin, Chardonnay, Ploussard, and Trousseau averaging 30 to 60 years-old. Today she has pieced together a total of 3.5 hectares, which she have been certified organic since 2018. Although she is not native to the Jura, her wines convey a deep understanding of the varied soils and climate. Her Savagnins are not to be missed!

Last but not least, take a look at the slim inventory of Jean-Yves Péron that we're happy to share with you all. For those who don't know the name, he's one of the most iconic natural producers in the French Alps. In an offer from 2011, we first featured the vigneron: "Jean-Yves’ is a familiar narrative: a native of the Haute-Savoie, he attended university in oenology and biochemistry at Bordeaux before taking up winemaking. He encountered his first wine made with out sulfur- a Pinot Gris- while working at Willakenzie in Oregon. He returned to his family home in Chevaline, a large farmhouse with a cheese room and adjacent pastures with their contended cows, in the early 2000s; his first vintage was 2004." We don't get much of Jean-Yves' bottles, so there isn't much to sell, but these wines are making a splash on wine lists across New York City. Full flavor, with distinct Alpine drive, any Savoie-nut will find great pleasure in both the reds and whites.

** Most of the wines on this offer are pre-arrival, and will be available for shipping, delivery, or pick up after the second week of May **

No Longer Available

Saint Pierre 2020 Arbois Pinot Noir Cuvée Saint Pierre

Appellation Arbois, Pinot Noir vines planted in 1985 on soils composed on white marl, clay and chalk. Vinified partial whole-cluster in stainless steel, followed by 8 months aging in 1,200 liter used barrel.

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $79.99

Saint Pierre 2020 Arbois Chapon Chardonnay

Appellation Arbois, 45-50 year-old Chardonnay vines on mostly marne soils, vinified an aged in used 500L barrel. Topped up style.

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $64.99

Fabrice Dodane (Saint Pierre) 2020 VdF Dos D'Chat GG Gamay

Fabrice Dodane is the winemaker and owner of Saint Pierre in the Jura. Les Dos d'Chat is his negoc project - and it's becoming very popular. Created in order to supplement dwindling Jura harvests (a result of climate change in the region), these wines are delicious and more available than the Saint Pierre wines... though still pretty rare. This GG is Gamay from the Beaujolais.

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $41.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Fabrice Dodane (Saint Pierre) 2020 Jura Dos D'Chat Ploussard

Fabrice Dodane is the winemaker and owner of Saint Pierre in the Jura. Les Dos d'Chat is his negoc project - and it's becoming very popular. Created in order to supplement dwindling Jura harvests (a result of climate change in the region), these wines are delicious and more available than the Saint Pierre wines... though still pretty rare. This is Ploussard, from the Jura but not from Dodane's estate fruit.

  • Out of Stock
  • 0 in stock
  • $47.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Ratapoil (Raphael Monnier) 2020 Partout Assemblage Rouge (Ploussard, Trousseau, Pinot)

This is a blend of the three Jura red varieties, Pinot Noir, Poulsard and Trousseau. Raphaël does carbonic maceration here, a style that lends itself well to scintillating acidity and very playful, bright red fruit notes. Expect some reduction since Poulsard is in the mix here, and is notorious for lending "barnyardy" aromas to many a Jura red. Once this wine has "harmonized" (to borrow a term many French winemakers use when referring to natural wines that have just moved from one place to another, barrel to tank, tank to bottle, France to USA, etc.) it will be a very fun red to open up with picnics this Summer, or to accompany grilled fish, poultry or salty snacks.

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $42.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur

Ratapoil (Raphael Monnier) 2020 L'Ingenu Pinot Noir

From one parcel in Molamboz, bottled without added sulfites. Bright red fruit, ample acidity and lift. Fresh and floral, elegant yet edgy. Like the other 2020 red, this bottle should be given some time to settle before opening. We couldn't wait and of course opened one immediately on arrival, and did witness a bit of what the French call the "goût de souris" or mousiness, but in all of our experience with zero (added) sulfite wines that have just traveled across the ocean, this is quite common. We'd recommend waiting 1 month at least, ideally 3.

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $42.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur

Ratapoil (Raphael Monnier) 2018 Trotte Menu Chardonnay

"Ouillé, ce Chardonnay a poussé sur les marnes de Buvilly, dans le respect de l'environment, vendangé à la main, élevé sur lies fines et levures indigènes. Vin non filtré, bien entendu." This ouillé Chardonnay grows on the marl soils of Buvilly, with respect to the environment, harvested by hand, aged on the fine lees and indigenous yeasts. Unfiltered wine, of course (translated from the label). Of the newly arrived wines from Raphaël Monnier, this wine held up very well over the course of 2 days. There is a fascinating evolution in the glass, at times showing subtle creaminess from the lees aging, then morhping into high toned tart orchard fruit and stones. There is a moderate level of reduction here, in no way interfering with the enjoyability of the wine, solely an aroma, and a thin outline of the attack.  -EL

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $42.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur

Les Granges Paquenesses NV Côtes du Jura Cremant Extra Brut

100% Chardonnay on clay and limestone in Pupillin, vinified for 6 months in large foudres. This is a joyful bottle with a fine mousse bursting with aromas of dry hay, iris, toasted hazelnut, Comté, and baked orchard fruit. The palate has an elegant frame of mineral acidity. Flavors are gently oxidative with floral undertones, ginger, and cherry pit. A delicious bottle to serve with raclette, Peking duck, or on its own!  Amanda Bowman

  • Out of Stock
  • white sparkling
  • 0 in stock
  • no discount
  • $29.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Les Granges Paquenesses 2018 Côtes du Jura Savagnin "les Fees Papillons"

Another great Savagnin from Les Granges Paquenesses' winemaker,  Loreline Laborde. The color here is a darker lemon. On the nose, aromas of lemon and chamomile mix with spicy black pepper and earl grey tea. Behind this are heartier smells of apricot, papaya, and dried grass. The palate is rich, with weighty flavors of herbs, grilled citrus, yellow and orange stone fruits, and smoke. The generous structure has a playful swish and bright acidity, creating a fantastic finish. The wine ends with an elegant bitterness, along with a final spark of salt. So much is going on in this bottle and it will surely develop well over the next few years. Drink now or hold! David Hatzopoulos

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $34.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Les Granges Paquenesses 2019 Côtes du Jura Savagnin "les Trouillots"

This is a dazzling Savagnin from Loreline Laborde of Les Granges Paquenesses. The color is a clear, brilliant lemon. On the nose, there are rich aromas of seagrass, lemon and tea leaves, which float above bolder smells of sliced yellow cherries and dried pineapple. The palate is spicy, with yellow apple and pear, green herbs and a dash of white pepper. A core of strong minerality contributes a refreshing, zingy middle. Exhilarating acidity adds striking form to an otherwise tender mouthfeel. The wine's long finish ends with a hint of sweet lemon. A truly exceptional wine! This is the first wine I've ever tasted from Loreline, and I can't get enough of it's lively tone and dynamic fruit. David Hatzopoulos

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $34.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Les Granges Paquenesses 2018 Côtes du Jura Ploussard (Pre-arrival)

This is a lovely and very forward Poulsard, perhaps the least reductive Poulsard we've tried in a while. Subtle notes of saddle leather quickly lift to reveal the sweet fragrance of raspberries, violet petals, fresh cut strawberries, and tangy red fruits. From Loreline's 30 year-old vines on red, iron-rich clay/limestone in her organic vineyard below the Côte de Feule in Pupillon.Vinified in partial carbonic maceration, the palate is balanced with supple tannins, flavors of morello cherry, and crunchy bramble fruit. AB

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $32.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Les Granges Paquenesses 2020 Côtes du Jura Trousseau

From 60 year old vines planted to blue and gray marne, organically/biodynamically  tended by winemaker Loreline Laborde. This Trousseau is a clear dark cherry in the glass. On the nose, the wine begins with a touch of funk.  Woodsy aromas of blackberry and cherry, plus denser smells of iron and smoke, mingle with violets, blueberry, and mint. The palate is bold, with plums, cassis and fresh green herbs circling around a center of cool minerality. With a structure that tingles the tongue and gums, a healthy dose of acidity brings on a long finish. A final flavor of bitter cocoa ends each sip with a satisfying firmness. A great wine, with both earth and fruit - a classic style that Jura lovers will surely enjoy! David Hatzopoulos

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $39.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Péron, Jean-Yves 2019 Vin de France Cotillon des Dames

100% Jacquère from the French Alps, farmed organically and biodynamically to soils of shale and limestone. The wine macerates for 6 weeks and ferments naturally in neutral oak for 12 months. No fining, no filtration, and no added SO2. This is by many accounts the reference point and the first experience many folks have had with JY Peron's wines. Subtle chamomile tea notes, white apricot, and soft, delicate acidity.

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $52.99

  • Organic
  • No Sulfur

Péron, Jean-Yves 2019 Vin de France Les Barrieux

This Alpine white is made from a blend of Roussanne, Jacquère and Altesse. Vines are planted to clay and limestone soils and tended with organic and biodynamic practices. There is a 10 week maceration period.  Fermentation is natural and happens in neutral oak. Aging is also in neutral oak. No fining, no filtration, and zero added SO2. Barrieux is more robust and pronounced than the Cotillons des Dames, with more dried apricot and quince notes, and softer acidity.

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $64.99

  • Organic
  • No Sulfur

Péron, Jean-Yves 2018 Vin de France (Savoie) Le Pas de l'Ours Rouge

Of Jean-Yves Peron's reds, this is the most black-fruited and rustic. Contrasting with the shorter maceration of the Champ Levat, this is a longer maceration of Mondeuse, clearly revealing the hereditary connection to Syrah, with notes of blackberry, roasted meat, and earth. A wine that opens up quite well and still delivers vibrancy and lift, along with the meatier material. Would be fantastic with grilled meats, charcuterie, stews and the like. -EL

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $68.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Péron, Jean-Yves 2019 Vin de France La Grande Journee

100% Altesse from the French Alps, grown on soils of mica and schist following organic and biodynamic practices. A 6 week maceration, fermented naturally in neutral oak. Aged for 12 months in neutral oak. No fining, no filtration, and no added SO2. Very mellow on the acidity here, with stone fruit and some dried herb and dried apricot notes. High acid dishes would pair nicely, and the ripeness of the Altesse should balance out spicy dishes quite well too!

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $64.99

  • Organic
  • No Sulfur

Péron, Jean-Yves 2019 Vin de France Les Oeillets Blanc

100% Jacquère from the Savoie. Vines are  organically tended and planted to soils of shale and limestone. After a short maceration the wine ferments naturally in neutral oak. Aging is also done in used oak. No fining, no filtration, and zero added SO2. 

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $39.99

  • Organic
  • No Sulfur