Domaine Maire & Fils - 2020 vintage

Arbois -  Achieving optimal ripeness and balance

The harvests

We were slightly less affected by drought than other regions thanks to rain during the month of August. One of the main challenges with this very early harvest was to achieve both optimal ripeness and balance. Harvest was spread over a month on this estate, which has 234 ha (578.22 ac) in production this year. The harvest was good thanks to the replanting and reorganizing carried out in the vineyard over the last five years. A little over 15 ha (37.06 ac) planted with Savagnin and Chardonnay have produced their first grapes this year. 17th August: the first estate in the Jura to begin harvesting, starting on the Crémant in order to achieve finely-balanced acidity for blanc de noirs sparkling wines. 27th August: beautifully ripe (13.5° potential alcohol) Trousseau Vignes Aux Anes, one of our ‘grandes parcelles’ located in the northernmost part of the Estate (southwest of the village of Arbois). 4th September: Château-Chalon with its Savagnin grapes destined for the sous voile treatment (Vin Jaune). Normally the harvest season finishes here, but this year the estate prioritized good acid levels through early harvesting. 14th September: harvesting of the Vignes de Sorbief Chardonnay (14° potential alcohol). 18th September: the Savagnin grapes are harvested.

Initial tastings

‘The Jura, now more than ever, can lay claim to being the sixth sub-region of Burgundy! It boasts citrusy Chardonnays with a distinct mineral quality despite the very ripe state of the grapes and fruity Pinot Noirs with ripe tannins. Careful plot selection reveals the potential of our Vignes aux Anes Trousseau; Vignes de Sorbief Savagnin and Chardonnay; a new gem like the delicate, elegant Pinot Noir in Arbois-Pupillin in the locality called ‘La Ronde’, which has been planted alongside the largely-forgotten native variety, Petit Béclan, which produces lively, light red wines which are great for blending purposes; and last but not least, carefully-selected Chardonnay from the vines at Grange Grillard.’
JACQUES HAULLER