10/24/26 - 

Plus New Arrivals from Domaine Ratte, Caveau de Bacchus, and last bottles of L’Aigle à Deux Têtes

Today we feature some incredible wines from the mythical place that many of us winelovers hold in great reverence: Jura. It’s a region both firmly rooted in tradition and at the forefront of the modern wine scene, where time seems to stand still while somehow staying ahead of the curve. Included are a mix of newer producers and some under-the-radar gems, a few old favorites and a little surprise from stateside. The common thread is that all of these wines possess that thing which makes Jura wine so special. It’s hard to put into words, but when you put your nose in the glass it becomes instantly recognizable. It’s not oxidation, it’s not reduction, there’s just something there that makes a wine unmistakably Jura. Call it soul, energy, vibes, terroir… whatever it might be, everyone remembers their first Jura lightbulb moment. Here’s to many more!

Château de Verreux (photo above) is a historic estate that once belonged to Joseph Girard, who spearheaded the creation of the Arbois AOC in 1936. The property fell into disrepair for decades before a revitalization effort from winemaker Vincent Remillet (who had previously worked at Domaine du Pélican for over a decade) along with partners Vincent Richard and Yann Greset. Together they work four primary parcels in Arbois called En Brut, Monteillet, Source de Brut, and En Verleule. Everything is farmed biodynamically and winemaking is done with minimal intervention in the cellar, where a creek runs through the building and keeps things cool. Tasting the wines recently we were impressed with the precision and elegance, which isn't to say they lack personality or verve. The reds were particularly captivating, combining tension, density and freshness with vibrant and expressive fruit.

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Another somewhat new name to keep an eye on is Domaine des Notes Bleues, established in 2017 by Arbois native Cédric Mottet (pictured above) after he acquired a 1.6 hectare plot of old vine Chardonnay named Les Nouvelles from Stéphane Tissot. Since then he's expanded to about 6.5 hectares of vines, all farmed biodynamically. A Jazz musician at heart, the name of the estate evokes those in-between notes and slightly off-kilter moments that populate Jazz, a heavy inspiration to his winemaking style and a reflection of his willingness to experiment. These are beautifully expressive wines made in tiny quantities, already impressive and indicative of a bright future ahead.

Julien Mareschal at Domaine de la Borde is one of the most exciting young winemakers in Jura, having moved to the area at 23 after studying in Dijon. Starting out in 2003, he now works about five hectares of vines in Pupillin just down the road from Pierre Overnoy, who served as an early mentor and inspiration to Julien's winemaking. While perhaps a bit lesser known than his mentor, these wines have become increasingly sought after among those in the know. The 2022 Savagnin Foudre a Canon is truly remarkable and worth stashing some bottles in the cellar for future use. I’ll refrain from hyping these wines up too much in hopes that I’ll still be able to drink them at a reasonable cost for years to come.

Also included are some new vintages from Domaine Ratte, who we've come to love over the years for their deft touch and precise winemaking that goes back to 2015, when they began to bottle their own wines instead of selling to the local co-op. The 2023 Chardonnay Grand Curoulet is of particular note, consistently one of the most impressive Jura whites on the market regardless of price and absolutely ripping in 2023. There is also the beautiful 2022 Trousseau from Caveau de Bacchus, one of the region's benchmark red wines that can age forever. It's a soulful expression that is densely woven with tons of substance. We have what might be some of the last wines from Henri Le Roy at Domaine de l’Aigle à Deux Têtes, who has worked next-door to Jean-François Ganevat since 2004 and makes high-energy, focused wines that harness all of the classic Jura vibes while maintaining elegance and style. We've secured a case each of some of his 2023 Savagnin and Poulsard, which sadly may be some of the last of these exceptional wines.

Finally, as a cheeky bonus I’ve included a very special wine from Oregon, a blend of Savagnin and Chardonnay from Jarad Hadi (Grape Ink) aged 34 months in glass Damigiane. Jarad is a farmer and vineyard manager first who works high-elevation vines in the northern Willamette Valley. His Damigiana is a shining example of his thoughtful approach to winemaking, combining texture, vivacity and mineral depth in a way that fits right in with these wonderful Jura gems.

-Jeff DiLorenzo

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