Côtes du Jura Savagnin

Domaine Jean Bourdy has been a family-owned and -managed operation since 1579. It’s both heart-warming and inspiring to imagine how each generation has carefully carried forward the family tradition and passion for producing wines expressive of the terroir of Jura, France, located between Burgundy and Switzerland.

We’re new to Savagnin, an ancient, subalpine variety indigenous to eastern France. All we can say is “wow” we were floored (no pun intended) by the aromatics of this pale gold wine.

From the outset, it offered a bouquet of dried herbs, anise, licorice, white pepper, Comté cheese rind, bruised apple, toffee, nutmeg, and nuttiness.  We gave it some time to decant and open up. Overall, it had a salty, briny, savory character with excellent food-pairing potential. We paired it with sauteed shrimp and it was lovely.  

This wine was aged four years in old, neutral oak barrels under a veil of yeast – sous voile – contributing to the secondary and tertiary aromatics.

If you’re a lover of Manzanilla or Fino Sherry, and haven’t experienced this wine yet, you must try it!  I hate to even compare, because it offers its own, distinct personality and history, but it shares characteristics associated with maturation below a layer of lees - the flor.   

Domain Bourdy, Savagnin, Cotes du Jura AOC. Vintage 2012. ABV 12.5%.

Jens had this 5 years ago

Pierre-Alexandre had this 7 years ago