Jean-Charles Maire with DL (Photo: E. Lillie)

Côtes du Jura Savagnin, Trousseau and Poulsard  from Domaine Pont de Breux, Salins-les-Bains

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We were lucky enough to meet and taste with Jean-Charles Maire at Domaine du Pont de Breux in the Spring of 2013 and we are sad to present the last wines produced at the estate before his death in 2015. From the estate description by Jean-Charles: "The domaine was created in 1992, situated in the communes of Marnoz and Salins-les Bains. It consists of 4 hectares of vines and 16 hectares of fields for grazing Charolais cattle. This permits the isolation of most of the vines, avoiding the pollutions generated by "conventional" neighbors. Almost none of the vines touch parcels treated with chemicals. The unique quality of the wines of Salins come from the soil — the "marnes" on which the vines grow are Kimmeridgian, the same as in Chablis. They bring to our wines a minerality and a beautiful finesse. On these soils we grow the Chardonnay, Savagnin and Poulsard in the lieu-dits "les Charmoz" and "Pont de Breux." Only the Trousseau grows on more classic Jura soils, one part on the scree of Mont Poupet in the lieu-dit "Les Riantes," and the other on marnes in "Le Calice et Vignole." Vinifications are done without added yeasts, without any additives, in the most natural way possible. Sulfur is used in very small doses." Jean-Charles Maire was a gentle and intelligent man, very proud of his vineyard work and of  his unique terroir in this cool northern part of the Jura. His daughters have retained the vines and the wine is now being made by the capable Emilie Gerard, whose 2015s will arrive later this year.

Pont de Breux 2014 Côtes du Jura Poulsard

From a 1/2 hectare parcel on Kimmeridgian limestone in Marnoz, northeast of Arbois. 11% alcohol. Very pale garnet color, really a rosé. Austere nose with subtle aromas of red-currant, strawberry, earth and beach rose. The palate is tart and light with red-currant, earth and stone, very crystalline and long. This is a wine of contemplation and definitely not a fruit-bomb!  DL

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $19.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Pont de Breux 2014 Côtes du Jura Trousseau VV Le Calice

From old vines in "le Calise" on a hillside in Marnoz on a typical Jura "marnes" soil. The wine shows bright garnet/black color with earthy/meaty blackberry and tart cherry aromas with hints of citrus and spice. Bright blackberry fruit on the palate with nice density and firm earthy acidity, with minerals and blackberry/cherry fruit and a bit of tannin in the finish. Lovely now with grilled Charolais, charcuterie, young goat cheeses. Best after three to five years. DL

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $21.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Pont de Breux 2012 Vin de France Trousseau les Marnières

The 2012 Les Marnieres is a lovely Trousseau from the beautiful organic vineyards of Jean-Charles Maire, this parcel, "les Riantes," on scree on the slopes of Mont Poupet, as  opposed to the Kimmeridgian limestone present in his other vineyards. Very pale garnet color. Lovely aromas of prune, rose, red currant, morello cherry and citrus peel. The palate is light but with good length and density, showing red currant, earth, spice and mineral flavors, finishing with tart cherry and saline minerals. Lovely wine! (Will keep a few more years but best consumed the day opened, very easy to do...)

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $21.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur