Jean Macle Cotes Du Jura Blanc 2018

Jean Macle Cotes du Jura 2018

Coming from a long line of barrel makers, the Macle family settled in Château-Chalon in 1850 to grow wine. Initially they practiced mixed agriculture, but by the 1960’s were focused solely on wine. They cultivate 12 hectares, 8 planted to Chardonnay in the Côte de Jura and 4 planted to Savagnin in Château-Chalon.

Laurent Macle is the 7th generation winemaker of Domaine Macle. He works closely with his father, Jean, to produce some of the top wines from the Jura. They render sous voile or “under veil,” a semi-oxidative style of wine. Vin Jaune is not made every year: a committee of wine growers visits the vineyards to determine if it can be produced that year, depending on the grape quality. Jean has a knowledge of the chemistry of Vin Jaune production that is second to none and is known as the true master of Château-Chalon, while his son, Laurent, continues to learn more every year so that he may live up to his father’s reputation.

The Macle family has a 16th-century cave where they store all the barrels for aging. Attached to each barrel is a little spout that is beneath the surface of the wine, so that it can be tasted without disturbing the veil of flor. They keep a library of their wines and are able to verify themselves whether there was something wrong with the vintage and the storage conditions of each lot.

Breaking with a long-standing tradition, Laurent has experimented with producing a non-oxidative (ouille) wine in very small proportions. According to Laurent, after sampling other examples of this style, he simply wanted to try his hand at it. What sets Macle apart from nearly all other Jura producers is their ability to give clear, diverse and unique flavors, with an undeniable mineral-driven elegance.

Château-Chalon will be officially certified organic starting with their 2020 vintage after practicing vintage for over 10 years. Laurent Macle wanted to ensure there was proof for their efforts, so the domaine began the certification process 5 years ago. It should also be noted that they add very small amounts or no sulfates to wines during fermentation/bottling.

From Menetru (AOP Chateau Chalon) 80% Chardonnay 20% Savagnin, 30-40 year old vines planted on a mix of clay and limestone soils. Fermented using natural yeasts in stainless steel - racking during one day after the fermentation. The wine is kept in
tank for 6 to 8 months before the malolactic fermentation, then, the wine is put in barrels of Damy for 1 and a half years. Once the wine is in barrel, a veil forms on the wine, due to the non-ouillage. Blending one month before bottling. No fining and no filtration.

"The classical 2018 Côtes du Jura is the usual 80% Chardonnay and 20% Savagnin blend, all aged under the veil of yeasts separately (there are always some barrels discarded from the Château Chalon in this wine) and blended one month before it was bottled in September 2022. 2018 is a warm and ripe year with rounder wines, and this is no exception. It has 14.5% alcohol but does not feel warm. It has a nose of spice and peat, hints of iodine and toast, with a round and gentle palate. 9,000 bottles produced." 94pts! - Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate