What an amazing expression of Chardonnay.
Straw gold in the glass.
The nose is immediate. You know right away this is a special wine, but it’s also one of the hardest noses I’ve had to pin down in a while. Kept circling it. There’s a floral thing I couldn’t place, maybe gardenia, shades of it at least. Or maybe it’s more of a ripe melon note. A slight tinge of vanilla, a white chocolate quality underneath. Then the Jura lees character kicks in, this rindy washed-cheese thing that I think is typical of the style. Underneath all of it a clear savory backbone: savory, salty, wet rock.
The palate brings tension and lots of it. After all that perfume you get hit with an electric, almost stinging salinity. The first sip was borderline shocking, like it’s coming from a different wine entirely. There’s a cayenne edge to the salt bite. But it keeps opening over the hour and turns delightful. Tons of structure, real weight, not cloying at all. Great acid carrying everything. And there’s this faint grip on the back end, almost a lychee-skin tannic feel, not strong but the texture is there. Very long finish.
I’m very impressed by this wine, I could see how this would be polarizing- I’ve never experienced a chard like this with this level of energy. It’s truly like testing a D battery with your tongue but it works.
by New_Cantaloupe_4908
3 Comments
jura hits different
That’s a solid abv!
I had a trousseau of theirs a month or two back as a dinner pairing (with some pork) and it was killer. Great producer.
Gahier’s wines are excellent and great value for what they cost. I just wish there were more available.