Lot presentation

Arbois Vin Jaune 99 mois d'élevage Bénédicte et Stéphane Tissot 2011

The wine

The Savagnin vines are planted on the grey and blue marl of the Lias and Trias, sometimes mixed with limestone, typical of the Arbois slopes. The marls contribute power and marked salinity, while the limestone brings tension and vertical precision to the wine. The grapes are carefully hand-picked at peak ripeness. Once in the winery, fermentation proceeds slowly and spontaneously. The wine is then aged for more than eight years in un-topped oak casks, under a veil of yeast, without topping up or heavy filtration and with trace amounts of sulphur.
The intense golden hue is enhanced by amber glints. The intensely expressive bouquet weaves together walnut, curry, oriental spices, saffron, candied citrus and dried mushroom. On the palate, the wine is ample, dry and powerful, revealing exceptional structure and a long, persistent finish with notes of walnut, warm stone and white truffle.

About the Producer Tissot

The domain might still carry the name of his parents, but Stéphane Tissot (and his wife Bénédicte) took over the family business over 20 years ago. In 1995, Stéphane began to reduce the amount of fertiliser so as to pave the way for organic viticulture. Around this time he also stopped using chemical herbicides altogether. In 1999, the then 28 hectares (now 46 hectares) became entirely organic and, after a few years, the whole domain became biodynamic in 2004 (Demeter certification). Stéphane's hard work has transformed the quality of the grapes. With such good quality fruit, vinifications are relatively easy and require very little intervention. Natural yeasts are used in fermentation and a very small amount of sulphites are added, nothing else. The end result is an excellent expression of terroir with intense aromas. Stéphane's quest to convey his many different terroirs has led him to produce nearly 50 different cuvées from many different grape varieties using various vinification methods. For example, for the Savagnin, a variety typical of the Jura, the property produces wines with and without oxidation (i.e. topping up of the barrels) and vin jaune. This domain is at its zenith and is one of the Jura's (and iDealwine's) best kept secrets.