Domaine Berthet-Bondet : Château-Chalon Vin Jaune 2017

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Château-Chalon Vin Jaune 2017, Domaine Berthet-Bondet

Tasting notes

Colour

The colour reveals a golden yellow hue with amber highlights, the characteristic visual signature of Jura's Vin Jaune. This colour reflects the extended aging under a veil of yeast and the oxidative maturation that give this wine its distinctive identity.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity dominated by notes of dried fruit, particularly walnuts and blanched almonds. Exotic spice aromas evoking curry and saffron gradually emerge, accompanied by subtle touches of mushroom and undergrowth that enrich the olfactory palette.

Palate

On the palate, this Château-Chalon Vin Jaune 2017 impresses with its power and concentration. The unctuous texture envelops the palate while the mineral acidity provides a vertical tension that perfectly balances the wine's richness. With its 15.5% alcohol seamlessly integrated, the palate expresses flavours of dried fruit and spice that linger at length. The finish, of remarkable length, leaves a dry yet complex impression, punctuated by refreshing mineral notes.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs magnificently with poultry dishes accompanied by a creamy morel or chanterelle sauce. It also enhances snails and frogs' legs in cream sauce, as well as dishes seasoned with parsley and garlic. Aged Comté offers a perfect regional pairing, while foie gras and spiced dishes with curry notes find an excellent partner in this wine.

Service and storage

The Château-Chalon Vin Jaune 2017 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2067, demonstrating an exceptional aging potential. The optimal tasting window is around 2027.

Other characteristics

This wine has a dry to slightly off-dry profile, with a subtle tannic structure that contributes to its remarkable aging capacity. It is presented in the traditional 62-centilitre Clavelin bottle, the emblematic format for Vin Jaune.

An exceptional Vin Jaune from the Jura, aged under a veil of yeast in the tradition of Château-Chalon

The estate

The Domaine Berthet-Bondet was founded in 1984 by Jean and Chantal Berthet-Bondet, both agricultural engineers who left their urban careers to settle in Château-Chalon in the Jura. Their first harvest dates back to 1985. Since 2018, their daughter Hélène Berthet-Bondet has run the estate after completing comprehensive winemaking training. The estate spans fifteen hectares across the Château-Chalon and Côtes du Jura appellations. Certified organic since 2013, it has established itself as a benchmark for Vin Jaune production, earning exceptional critical recognition, including a score of 94/100 for this 2017 vintage.

The vineyard

The vines for this Château-Chalon are planted on the steep slopes of the eponymous appellation, the historic and unique birthplace of Vin Jaune. The plots rest on grey marl soils of Liassic origin, which give the wine its characteristic minerality and vertical tension. The Savagnin vines used for this cuvée were around thirty-five years old at the time of harvest. The steep topography requires manual work throughout the growing cycle, ensuring meticulous attention to every vine.

The vintage

The 2017 vintage was marked by severe spring frosts that considerably reduced yields. This situation led the estate to a bold quality decision: the entire Savagnin production from the Côtes du Jura plots was incorporated into the Château-Chalon cuvée, thereby concentrating the complexity and intensity of this exceptional wine.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Château-Chalon Vin Jaune 2017 were harvested by hand with a rigorous selection of bunches. After whole-bunch pressing to preserve the integrity of the berries, the must fermented in stainless steel tanks thanks to naturally present indigenous yeasts. The wine was then aged for at least six years and three months in 228-litre oak barrels, without topping up, under a protective veil of yeast. This oxidative aging method under a veil of yeast is the secret behind Vin Jaune's production, allowing the development of its distinctive aromas while preserving its freshness.

Grape variety

100% Savagnin