L'Etoile Château l'Etoile 1996 (White)

The Etoile (meaning ‘star’ in French) domain has its unique geographical position to thank for its name: it is surrounded by five hills (Montangis, Mont Morin, Mont Genezet, Mont Muzard and Montarbeau) that form the outline of a star. Even more fitting perhaps are the many star shaped fossils that have been discovered in the vineyards of this area. The vineyards of this domain are given over mainly to Chardonnay but also Savignin and a bit of Poulsard for vin de paille (straw wine). The white wines express the terroir of this appellation in all its finesse and elegance. The soils here are rich in chalk and clay and are lighter than those found in Château-Chalon. The vins jaunes (yellow wines) here are subsequently lighter, more delicate and more floral than those made by their famous neighbour. Both Chardonnay and Savignin is used. This domain also produces vin de paille: the appellation allows a bit of Poulsard to be used provided that it is vinified as a white wine. Originally known for its crémants (sparkling wines), this appellation is now starting to produce more of it again, predominantly in Chardonnay.

The little village of Étoile ("Star"), to the north of Lons-le-Saunier, probably takes its name from the five hills that surround it in the shape of a star (Montangis, Mont Morin, Mont Genezet, Mont Muzard and Montarbeau), but it could also be due to the huge number of star-shaped fossils that can be found among the vines known as "pentacrines" Whatever the case, there can be no doubt as to the finesse of the appellation's wines. The main grape is Chardonnay, but there is also some Savagnin, and smaller proportions of Poulsard, used in the production of "vin de paille" or "straw wine". The white wines express the terroir of this AOC with great elegance and finesse. The clay-limestone soil is lighter than in Château Chalon and gives more delicate, softer yellow wines than its neighbours, as well as white wines that are typical of the region or sometimes floral, made with Chardonnay and Savagnin. Furthermore, Étoile produces vins de paille, which contain a small proportion of the Poulsard grape, vinified as a white wine. The appellation still produces the sparkling wines ("crémant") for which it was originally known, in not insignificant quantities, from the Chardonnay grape (it is even said that the inhabitants of Champagne would buy these wines from the Jura when their own stocks were running low). Today, Château de L'Étoile is managed by Georges, Béatrice and their two sons, Vincent and Alexandre Vandelle. In 2001, a family disagreement resulted in a split between Georges and his brother; Philippe Vandelle took over from his father and set up on his own. The vineyard essentially consists of the slopes of Mont Muzard, whose east, south and west sides, with a marly subsoil, are particularly well-suited to vines.

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