Fleur de Savagnin Domaine de la Tournelle 2015/16

The Fleur de Savagnin has classic varietal aromas of pith and salty white fruits and apple with a note of something earthy or cheesy. On the palate, it is rich and strong but with great acidity and a salty twang reminiscent of Vin Jaune. If you don't like the more common oxidised version of this variety then try Fleur de Savagnin with some Jura cheese, it is a magnificent pairing.

Evelyne and Pascal Clairet own 7 hectares in the region around Arbois, the famous wine growing capital of the Jura. They farm biodynamically and follow Maria Thun's calender in all their operations. They use no sulphur at bottling, but sometimes add 2 or 3 grams per litre earlier in the wine making. Unlike many Jura producers, they are looking to avoid oxygen in most of their wines to keep the freshness of the fruit. Their wines are a combination of golden Chardonnay fruit and Jura minerals. They are linear and precise and have the most incredible texture of any Chardonnay we have tasted. Top Burgundy wines sell for incredible prices but in terms of quality, complexity and sheer pleasure in drinking, I have not come across many Chardonnay that rival the wines of Domaine de la Tournelle. Their Savagnin is also of outstanding quality, and they make some fascinating and unique reds.