D’Arlay‘Tradition’Blanc2022

<p>Established in the 11th century, Château d’Arlay is one of the most venerable estates in France and a beacon of historic winemaking in the Jura. Comprising an enviable collection of old, traditional Jura vines – Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau, Chardonnay, and Savagnin – these are among France’s oldest continuously-worked vineyards.</p><p>Alain de Laguiche, d’Arlay’s current owner and a descendant of its founding family, believes that the estate’s sheltered and south-facing slopes are the secret to its success. Indeed, this unique terroir – deep grey marl soils covered by chalk – is regarded as some of the region’s finest. A proponent of biodynamic farming and quality-focused vinification methods, Alain crafts a mesmerising array of wines unique to the Jura and, in some cases, even the estate.</p><p>In addition to its celebrated varietal bottlings of Chardonnay, Savagnin, and Pinot Noir, d’Arlay is known for its delicious, pink-hued ‘Corail’ – a blend of all the region’s varieties, red and white – as well as the labour intensive, lusciously sweet Vin de Paille made from dried grapes. However, the château’s jewel is undoubtedly its intense, nutty Vin Jaune – a Sherry-like ‘yellow wine’ made from Savagnin in only the best vintages and aged under a veil of yeast for 7 years.</p><p>After minimal fining and filtering, bottles are matured in the château’s impressive 17th century cellars until Alain chooses to release them – often significantly later than other producers. Such is their fruit concentration and structure that these wines are exceptionally long-lived, a subtle oxidative complexity emerging with age.</p>