Domaine Pignier : Chardonnay Cellier des Chartreux 2022

Tasting notes and advice for the Chardonnay "Cellier des Chartreux" 2022 from Domaine Pignier

Tasting

Color
The color shows a magnificent golden hue with bright highlights.

Nose
The bouquet is generous and complex, revealing aromas of dried fruits such as apricot and grape, complemented by notes of almond and hazelnut. Buttery and caramelized touches round out this rich aromatic profile.

Palate
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and well-balanced, offering a characteristic rich texture. The oxidative aromas typical of Jura unfold harmoniously, supported by lovely freshness. The saline finish lingers with an elegant acidity that adds persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This "Cellier des Chartreux" 2022 is an ideal match for an aperitif with Comté, smoked fish such as haddock, dishes with parsley such as snails, frog legs, white meats served with a cream and mushroom sauce (notably morels), as well as spicy curry-based preparations or cheese-topped gratin dishes.

Serving and cellaring

The Chardonnay "Cellier des Chartreux" 2022 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 13 to 15°C. It is recommended to uncork the bottle one to two hours before serving to allow the wine to fully open up. This wine can be enjoyed now and has aging potential of around 25 to 30 years.

A Jura chardonnay aged under flor, an authentic expression of the Montaigu terroir

The estate

Owned by the Pignier family since 1794, Domaine Pignier carries on a winemaking heritage initiated in the 13th century by the Carthusian monks on the Montaigu hillside. Today, Jean-Étienne Pignier and the seventh generation of the family farm 15 hectares in AOC Côtes du Jura according to biodynamic principles. The vineyard produces vin jaune, vin de paille and Crémant du Jura from chardonnay, savagnin, trousseau and pinot noir.

The vineyard

"Cellier des Chartreux" comes from the lieu-dit « en Boivin » located in Montaigu, in the reculée of the Vallière valley. This historic Jura vineyard planted by the Carthusian monks enjoys an east-facing exposure and sits on a Domerian geological formation. The soils are composed of dark micaceous blue marls topped with clayey sandy limestones, rich in fossils of ammonites, belemnites and gryphaeas. Farmed biodynamically, yields are deliberately limited to 35 hectoliters per hectare.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage was marked by hot, dry conditions. Rainfall around August 15 contributed favorably to grape ripening. Harvesting took place on September 19 and 20, 2022.

Winemaking and aging

The Chardonnay "Cellier des Chartreux" 2022 is vinified with indigenous yeasts. The grapes are pressed slowly in order to preserve the fine lees. Aging takes place over 36 months in oak barrels in cool cellars kept at 13°C. The wine is aged using the non-topped-up method, allowing a characteristic flor to develop, giving the wine its oxidative style typical of Jura. After a light filtration, bottling is carried out on a root day according to the lunar calendar, with natural cork closures.

Grape variety

This Côtes du Jura wine is 100% chardonnay, from a parcel selection within the estate.