2021 Domaine Bornard 'Les Chassagnes' Savagnin

Les Chassagnes is named for the lieu dit where the Savagnin for this wine is sourced from. It is within the Côtes du Jura appellation just outside Pupillin. The wine though, is now classified as a Vin de France.

The soil is iridescent marne from the Keuper, which formed during the Triassic period, and is a complex layered stratified rock system which covers much of western Europe. The exposition is easterly and the vines were planted in the 1990s.

Whole bunches were directly pressed into vats to begin the fermentation and then subsequently most was transferred to 2400 litre foudre with a proportion in tank. It was aged on lees for two years and topped up during that time. for much of the time it was still fermenting, including when we visited in September 2022. However, because of the age of the foudre there is a hint of oxidation from exposure to air via the wood. It has also had a substantial further period of aging in bottle

Tony’s translated observations are “As it ages, this wine will develop smoky characteristics. It is aromatically intense and has a mouth that finishes with freshness.” He thinks it has the potential to age for 30 years – sadly we will not find out if that’s the case!

We also like French wine merchant Petite Caves’ description of this wine as “Slight hints of oxidative notes (almonds and hazelnuts) on the nose, quickly complemented by grapefruit and ripe yellow fruit. The mouth is full and delicious”. 12.6% ABV.