A very interesting tasting, the white side particularly so as all were very pleasing but no two were remotely alike even when they were from the same grapes. Not a dog in the bunch.
2011 Champ Divin Côtes du Jura Brut Champagne Blend
Pretty medium pink. Dried porcini mushroom nose with cassia bark and red apple skin on the palate. Finish shows RS as it warms in the glass. Fine pin-prick bubbles give initial great mouthfeel, but the wine lacks persistence.
2008 Domaine Rolet Crémant du Jura Brut White Blend
My bottle. This has apparently come around since another review in 2011 because this is in a great place now. Yeasty, baked red apple and bear claw pastry make this a pretty rich and interesting sparkler. Bubbles are a bit large, but persistent. Very popular with the group. Only negative is that an initial dab of sulfur on the nose so small I barely noticed it bloomed the longer the wine was exposed to air. It's something one usually expects to dissipate, not intensity.
2013 Champ Divin Côtes du Jura Chardonnay
Sweet lemonade powder nose with verbena herb. Finishes dry and refreshing, picks up a bit of diesel toward the end of the glass.
2013 Champ Divin Côtes du Jura Chardonnay
Sweet lemonade powder nose with verbena herb. Finishes dry and refreshing, picks up a bit of diesel toward the end of the glass.
2013 Charles Gonnet Vin de Savoie Chignin Jacquère
100% Jacquare. Viognier nose of lavender and powdered sugar, super floral, picks up white pepper on the finish. Very nice.
2010 Champ Divin Côtes du Jura Cuvée Castor White Blend
Big, round and nutty with some smoke. All signs pointed to chardonnay, but it's a blend with savignin.
2014 Domaine Saint Romain Vin de Savoie
This one's also 100% Jacquere. Almost clear in color, vivid nose of grapefruit and cat pea, white flowers, douglas fir, oyster shell minerality and lime peel. Blind, would have guessed New Zealand sauv blanc, and been pretty sure about it. Delicious and only 11.5%.
2009 Château D'Arlay Côtes du Jura Blanc Tradition Savagnin/Traminer
Interesting, unique nose of Maggi seasoning (or Vegemite, to some) and a little sherry. On the palate, a very soft progression of apple, mango, maple and tamarind. Acidity was there but not aggressive--a very sensual, textural wine ideal for contemplation. This wine's softness made it a little hard to warm up to, especially as it followed the most piercing of the previous whites. But I started to get it, and I get it even more today reading that it spends three years in barrel prior to release.
2011 Tissot (Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille) Côtes du Jura En Barberon
100% pinot noir. A lighter style with hints of orange rind and Montmercy cherries and rhubarb. A little peppery note develops on the finish. Quite nice.
2005 Jean Bourdy Côtes du Jura Rouge Red
My bottle. Big improvement over a bottle I took to one of Bill's lunches last year. Sweet red fruit, slight barnyard hinting at some age, cherry cough drops, cinnamon and nutmeg. Drinks fine now but feels like a wine that could use 5-10 more years. I have one more in the cellar, will test that! Btw, the first question asked was if this was a ringer from Burgundy.
2007 Jacques Puffeney Poulsard Arboismore
Exciting nose and palate of cranberry, dusty cherry, cardamom, orange rind, and empty tomato can. Evolved quite a bit in the glass. One of the night's best.
NV Château D'Arlay Macvin du Jura Vin de liqueur macvin
Pinot noir base cut with marc to stop fermentation. On the nose, Fig Newton cookie all day underpinned by a hint of apple cider vinegar. The palate of strawberries and Craisins was better, but I can't say this made me a fan of the style.