D'Arlay Côtes du Jura Blanc 2003

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.

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.

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.

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.