Côtes du Jura, Chardonnay "La Grande Chaude" 2023

A Chardonnay with substance, whose power is anchored by a zesty freshness. Spicy in structure, clear in fruit, with a saline trace that carries through to the finish.

Domaine Grand is based in Arbois and has cultivated vineyards between Arbois and Château-Chalon since 1692, today spanning 9.5 hectares. The vines are rooted in grey limestone as well as grey and red marl, in places with dolomitic influence; some plots are over 100 years old. This wine comes from the La Grande Chaude vineyard.

100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested. After destemming, the must fermented spontaneously in oak barrels, with ageing continuing in multi-year oak barrels. Emmanuel Grand oversees the cellar and works with minimal sulphur. 13.5% vol., dry.

The nose shows lemon and lime zest, green apples and pears, along with sage and stony notes. On the palate, the wine is clear and fresh, juicy, with a slightly silky texture: first ripe white-fleshed fruit with citrus notes, then shortly after forest floor, minerality and a touch of caramel. Powerful, with volume and strength, a slight warmth and good length carried by fine salinity.

In 2015, Emmanuel and Nathalie Grand reduced the estate from 24 to 9.5 hectares, with Nathalie managing the vineyards ever since. Conversion to organic farming began in 2018, and the first organic cuvées reached the market in 2021. In 2020, the Guide Hachette named the couple "Vignerons de l'année," an award earned for their Château-Chalon En Beaumont Vin de Voile 2015. The domaine bottles around 45,000 bottles annually, with labels designed by French artist Bast.