2010 Cotes du Jura Blanc Tradition

The 2010 Côtes du Jura Blanc is a blend of two thirds Chardonnay and one third Savagnin that were fermented together and then aged for four years. This follows the tradition when the varieties were planted together in the vineyard. It has an aromatic nose with notes of quince, baked apples, some spices and no oak whatsoever. It's dominated aromatically by the Savagnin, but the palate has the strictness of the Chardonnay, with nutty flavors towards the end. It develops more nuttiness, but Alain de Laguiche assured me there is never any voile of yeasts in these classical wines. For comparison's sake and to see how this wine evolves, monsieur de Laguiche uncorked a 2003, which was a special, very short vintage given the very warm and dry conditions; the wine was was surprisingly fresh, probably giving the vivacity of the Savagnin. Curiously enough, the 2010 feels riper and more exotic than the 2003. A bottle of the 1996 was nutty and spicy, more Jura than Burgundy for sure. 15,000 bottles produced.