Croix & Courbet Côtes du Jura Calvaire Chardonnay Ouillé 2022

Le Calvaire is the first single-vineyard Chardonnay from Croix & Courbet, from a small valley just outside Château-Chalon.

Chardonnay has been grown in the Jura for as long as Savagnin has, and in the Côtes du Jura it is usually made ouillé, meaning the barrels are topped up so the wine stays fresh rather than developing under a veil of yeast. Le Calvaire takes its name from a warm spot, and David Croix notes that the grapes here ripen quickly. The soils are fine limestone scree and clay over grey marl, which he credits with the wine's fine-grained texture and density, held in check by the low pH that comes with the northeast exposure. The vines are around 40 years old. Winemaking follows the pattern of Croix's white Burgundies: natural fermentation in used 228 and 500-litre oak barrels, with a third of the wine raised in stainless steel, and no new oak to cover the site.

Tense and mineral, it will reward three to eight years in the cellar; serve with scallops, poached chicken or a young comté at 11-12°C.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.