Domaine Rolet : Vin Jaune 2017

Tasting characteristics and advice for the 2017 Vin Jaune from Domaine Rolet

Tasting

Appearance
The color reveals a golden yellow hue with amber highlights, characteristic of this oxidative wine style.

Nose
The nose opens with intense, typical aromas of fresh nuts, notably walnuts and hazelnuts. Spicy notes of curry and saffron accompany this complex bouquet, with hints of dried citrus and mushrooms.

Palate
On the palate, the wine is powerful and perfectly balanced despite its 15% alcohol. Its silky texture wraps the palate with richness, while a fine acidity brings freshness and structure. The long, elegant finish lingers on notes of nuts and spice with a noble austerity.

Food and wine pairings

This 2017 Vin Jaune pairs perfectly with aged Comté, an emblematic cheese of the region. It also shines alongside poultry with cream and morels, dishes of braised veal with mushrooms, as well as nut-based preparations. Hard cheeses and dishes rich in umami flavors also make excellent partners.

Serving and cellaring

The 2017 Vin Jaune should be served at a temperature of around 16°C. It is recommended to open the bottle at least two hours before serving to allow the wine to fully express itself. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2067 and beyond, reflecting exceptional aging potential.

A typical, complex Arbois Vin Jaune from the Jura

The estate

Founded in 1942 by Désiré Rolet, Domaine Rolet grew to become the second-largest independent estate in the Jura, with 66 hectares of vines. Since June 2018, the estate has been run by a consortium bringing together the Devillard family, the Flambert family, and the Dupuis family. The current team includes Cédric Ducoté as director, Chloé Weber as cellar master, and Louis Morel as vineyard manager. The estate is recognized as a benchmark for the Arbois appellation and produces the full range of Jura wine styles from its parcels spread across the region’s four main appellations.

The vineyard

The 2017 Vin Jaune comes from Savagnin vines averaging 40 years of age, planted on grey marl soils in the Montigny-les-Arsures area of Arbois. The parcels lie between 280 and 380 meters in altitude and benefit from favorable exposures. The estate practices sustainable viticulture, with a gradual conversion to organic farming, favoring hand harvesting and controlled yields to obtain grapes of optimal quality.

The vintage

The 2017 vintage was marked by contrasting weather conditions in the Jura. Despite frost episodes affecting certain areas of the region, the estate’s teams were able to select the best parcels to produce a very high-quality Vin Jaune, demonstrating expertise built up over generations.

Vinification and aging

The 2017 Vin Jaune is made according to the traditional Jura method, with aging under a veil of indigenous yeasts for a minimum of 6 years and 3 months. During this period, the wine rests in un-topped-up barrels, allowing a protective yeast veil to develop on the surface. This maturation takes place in the estate’s two historic cellars with different environmental conditions: one dating back to the 14th century, offering coolness and humidity, the other under the eaves, providing warmth and dryness. This dual maturation makes it possible to achieve remarkable complexity after blending the different lots.

Grape variety

100% Savagnin