Croix & Courbet Côtes du Jura Savadonnay 2022

NEW! This is Australia’s first allocation of the domaine’s lip-smacking Jura blend. Debuting in 2018, it’s a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Savagnin (à la Puffeney) from four vineyards within the Château-Chalon area. First, there’s Sur Lya, on limestone scree over a deeper layer of Liassic grey marl, then Le Calvaire and Trémoulette, both on similar marl soils, and last, En Parelle, a biodynamically-farmed site exposed to the northwest on deep gravelly soil of white limestone. Here, David Croix and Damien Courbet want to show you a panoramic taste of Jura rather than focusing on a single terroir. The wine ferments and matures in 228-litre barrels (5 to 6 years old), except for En Parelle, which is raised in tank. A small portion of the Chardonnay, barely more than 5%, is separated and aged sous voile, which adds a hint of apple skin/nutty complexity. Combining succulence from the Chardonnay and drive from the Savagnin, it’s a deliciously moreish brew that unwinds in the glass with gorgeous notes of fennel, confit citrus, salt and quince. A model of its type, it’s both textural and racy with cracking, mineral-focused length. A no-brainer if ever there was one.