2022 Domaine Bienaime - Savagnin (750ml)

Tweet

Bruno Bienaimé got his start working for the legendary Champagne producer Vincent Laval. This wasn’t a short stage - Bruno spent a full decade learning from one of the most precise and dedicated vignerons in Champagne (or all of France for that matter). With his own project in the Jura, Bruno decided to adopt many of the techniques commonly used to produce the delicate character of base wines in Champagne: hand-harvest, soft pressing in a small basket press, and separating press fractions to obtain the most delicate juice. So far, Bruno is working on a ludicrously small scale, producing less than 1,000 bottles in his inaugural 2017 vintage. This is quickly establishing itself as a hallmark property in the Jura as the wines become more broadly known.

This is 100% Savagnin from 2 parcels in Arlay, Champ Levot facing southeast and Aux vignes de cour facing northeast. Farming is in conversion to organic beginning in 2017. Hand-harvest, basket pressed, native yeast fermentation in barrel. The wine is delicately perfumed, showing golden apples and fresh chamomile blossoms with a pleasant whisper of baking spice. There is a gorgeous interplay of acidity and minerality on the palate that is simultaneously intense and refreshing with a long, harmonious finish.  This isn’t a sous-voile style of Jura white, but there is a whisper of the same depth of flavor, with notes of cured lemon, salt, toast & yeast. This is the sort of wine that will pull your nose back to the glass over and over. For lovers of the Jura, and for those who enjoy elegant, mineral alpine whites, it is well worth trying.