Domaine des Marnes Blanches : Vin Jaune 2018

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Domaine des Marnes Blanches 2018 Vin Jaune

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance reveals a deep, limpid gold color, bearing witness to the prolonged aging under a veil of yeast.

Nose

The nose reveals great aromatic intensity with complex scents of fresh walnuts, curry, almonds, and spices. Notes of candied citrus, baked apple, and saffron complete this characteristic bouquet.

Palate

The palate reveals itself to be ample and masterful, endowed with a deep structure. Despite its aromatic richness, the wine retains a vibrant salinity and penetrating acidity that give the tasting experience surprising freshness. The finish remains endless and fresh, with the remarkable persistence characteristic of a great age-worthy wine.

Food and wine pairings

This Vin Jaune pairs admirably with Comté, a regional cheese whose fruity and nutty flavors harmonize elegantly with the wine's walnut notes. It also goes wonderfully with poultry in cream sauce with mushrooms, particularly morels. Spicy dishes, shellfish, and gougères are also excellent partners.

Service and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this 2018 Vin Jaune at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. This legendary wine, built to defy time, can be kept until 2043 or longer.

A harmonious and intense Jura Vin Jaune from Domaine des Marnes Blanches

The estate

Domaine des Marnes Blanches was founded in 2006 by Pauline and Géraud Fromont, two young oenologists native to Franche-Comté, in Sainte-Agnès in the southern Jura. The estate now spans approximately 10 to 12 hectares of vines spread across three distinct plots. Certified organic since 2013, the estate also adheres to certain biodynamic principles. Pauline and Géraud Fromont jointly manage all aspects of production. Awarded two stars by the Revue du Vin de France, the estate has established itself as an essential reference in the Jura region for the purity and expressiveness of its wines.

The vineyard

This Côtes du Jura Vin Jaune comes from vines planted on the white marl (marnes blanches) characteristic of the terroir, a sedimentary rock composed of limestone and clay that imparts specific minerality to the wines. The estate is located in the southern Jura, specifically in the Sud-Revermont region. The vines have an average age of about 40 years. The vineyard is farmed organically with grassed rows to favor biodiversity and surface soil tillage to preserve structure and microbial life.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage remains a year considered remarkable for the Jura region. This year benefited from a respite from the chronic issue of spring frosts and hail that had affected several previous vintages. 2018 offered producers a welcome normal year, with a generous and healthy harvest allowing for grapes of excellent quality.

Winemaking and aging

The 2018 Vin Jaune was aged for 84 months under a veil of yeast, in accordance with appellation regulations. This aging technique involves leaving the barrels deliberately partially filled, allowing a fine layer of natural yeast to form on the surface. This yeast acts simultaneously as a protector against direct oxidation and as a vector for slow, controlled oxidation, a process that gives the wine its complex aromatic characteristics. After aging, the wine was bottled in the iconic 62-centiliter clavelin format, reflecting the natural evaporation that occurred during these seven years.

Grape variety

Savagnin (100%). This iconic Jura grape variety, with its thick skin and high natural acidity, is the only one authorized for the production of Vin Jaune, offering exceptional aptitude for aging under a veil of yeast.