Alpine Wines

Macle produces just a tiny amount of topped-up Chardonnay barrels, and even then, only in certain years. The fruit is drawn from the vineyards surrounding Château-Chalon on limestone-clay soils. The wine is vibrating with energy, with a rich, profound texture. Characteristic salinity marks it out as typically Jurassic, in spite of its non-oxidative style.

This is a 100% Chardonnay wine, aged sous voile (under flor), has classic oxidative notes. The fruit comes from limestone-clay soils on north-facing slopes surrounding Château-Chalon. Whilst the ageing is much shorter than for a vin jaune, this wine shares much of its characteristics, with saline depth, and spicy complexity. Its lighter frame makes it ideal for earlier drinking than a vin jaune, and is a brilliant foil for food.

Vin jaune is a Macle speciality, and Château-Chalon is the grand cru appellation for the style. This Savagnin wine was aged for six years ‘sous voile’ in their cellars, developing complex aromas of curry, crystalised ginger, dried figs, and salted nuts. Ageing amplifies the grape variety’s natural tendency to these complex, savoury flavours. 2010 is one of the finest recent vintages for this style of wine in the Jura. Do not serve too chilled (cellar temperature is fine), and enjoy over a few days to appreciate the flavours developing.

This is actually a blend of 50% Savagnin and 50% Chardonnay. It's a bit of a one off. A 'voile' (layer of flor yeast) did not develop over the Savagnin, which has been blended with Chardonnay that was aged sous voile. It was blended and bottled in 2013 and has continued to develope complex utty, citrus, and spiced notes, with a satin-like texture. Not to be missed.