Domaine Grand - La Grande Chaude - Chardonnay 2023
Domaine Grand is located in the Jura landscape of Passenans, at the heart of a vineyard where the reliefs, marls, and limestones give the wines a very recognizable identity. The estate cultivates about ten hectares organically, with a careful approach to soil balance and the natural expression of Jura grape varieties. In this characterful region, Chardonnay takes on a particular dimension, often more textured, saltier, and earthier than in other French vineyards. Nathalie Morin and Emmanuel Grand work on cuvées that seek to convey the uniqueness of each plot without erasing the personality of the vintage. The terroir of Passenans, situated in a hillside environment, brings beautiful tension and a typical mineral depth to the whites of the Côtes du Jura. La Grande Chaude Chardonnay 2023 illustrates this parcel-specific reading, with a white wine that combines maturity, energy, and precision.
Domaine Grand La Grande Chaude Chardonnay 2023 comes from a 0.5-hectare plot located in Passenans, planted in 1970 at about 400 meters altitude. The vines, south-facing on gentle slopes, root in a soil of dolomite and clay, which contributes both to the structure and freshness of the wine. This cuvée is made exclusively from Chardonnay, a grape variety capable of finely expressing the nuances of the Jura terroir. The grapes are pressed whole cluster, a method that favors the elegance of the juice and aromatic precision. Fermentation occurs naturally, then aging takes place in 228-liter French oak barrels aged 4 years, to bring depth without excessively marking the wine. Vinification is done without added sulfites, without fining and without filtration, in a spirit of purity and respect for the material. The 2023 vintage here gives a broad, lively, and structured Jura Chardonnay, with an expression both ripe and mineral.
On tasting, Domaine Grand's La Grande Chaude Chardonnay 2023 reveals an elegant Jura white profile, with a bright golden robe and beautiful aromatic intensity. The nose may evoke citrus, apple, pear, yellow fruits, as well as hints of sage, stone, and soft spices. On the palate, the attack is fresh, then the wine gains volume thanks to barrel aging and the natural depth of Chardonnay. The texture remains balanced, between controlled roundness, mineral tension, and a savory finish. The absence of filtration and fining preserves an authentic material sensation without weighing down the whole. This Côtes du Jura white will pair perfectly with creamy poultry, a noble fish, scallops, mushroom ravioli, aged Comté, or cuisine with slightly spicy notes. It can be enjoyed now after slight aeration but will gain complexity over a few years in the cellar.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
