Chardonnay, Grand Curoulet, Arbois, 2019

A savoury fresh note to the nose is followed by a beautifully open, ripe and fruity palate. A generous fruit salad of flavours burst onto the tastebuds - nectarine, orchard fruit and orange with a light twist of salt giving some tang and freshness to the finish. Seductive but woven together by a fresh seam of acidity giving this focus and elegance. Domaine du Pélican purchased this Grand Curoulet parcel in 2012 from Jean-Marc Brignot. Prior to Brignot, it was owned by Robert Aviet, a well-known name in Arbois amongst Jura wine lovers. Grand Curoulet is considered to be one of very best terroirs of Arbois. It is a North-facing parcel located on the side of a hill that dominates Arbois and the plaine de la Saône, where the first vines of Arbois were widely thought to have be been planted. The estate’s holdings here total almost 5 hectares (12.5 acres). When they acquired the vineyard in 2012, they attempted to salvage its old (60+ years) vines, but had to recognise after one vintage that this was not possible. Hence they uprooted the parcel almost entirely, and took advantage of this to perform some very useful drainage restoration work. The parcel was replanted in 2015 with Savagnin (two thirds) and Chardonnay (one third) varietals. The 1ha of Chardonnay is planted at the top of the slope on grey marls. The crop is lightly crushed before being pressed, and fermentation is in foudres and barrels – with no new oak