Terre de Gryphées, Chardonnay

Terre de Gryphées, Chardonnay

This wine is issued from two patches of Chardonnay, planted on clay and grey marl with the historical record of marine shells to be found dotting the vineyard, supplying the name for the cuvée and lending a distinct aromatic profile of the sea. Curious since the Jura is nowhere close to the sea. It is raised in barrel ranging in age from 2 – 15 years for 24 months and is stirred regularly, bâtonnage, to lend richness and complexity.

The closest that Tournelle gets to aged white Burgundy is with this wine. It possesses many of the qualities one would expect to find in a great white from the Côte de Beaune, lush golden color, terrific expression of its terroir and indicative of the older whites from the Jura, exceptional balance and acidity. From nowhere else does Chardonnay taste quite like this.

Domaine de la Tournelle fact sheet (PDF)

Mercurey, La Chassière, 1er Cru

Terre de Gryphes, ChardonnayThis wine is issued from two patches of Chardonnay, planted on clay and grey marl with the historical record of marine shells to be found dotting the vineyard…

Fleur de SavagninThis wine lies at one end of the spectrum marking the range of style that Savagnin, the region’s most celebrated white varietal, can produce.

Savagnin de VoileThe same process which produces the Vin Jaune is employed here to produce a sort of half way house to its more famous sibling.

Vin JauneAged for 6 years and 3 months in 5 year old Burgundy barrels which are purposefully not topped off as the wine slowly evaporates.

L’uva ArbosianaThe thin skinned Ploussard (Poulsard) grape makes a faintly colored red wine, more floral than fruity, with little or no tannin and although certainly red, inhabits the soul of a rosé wine.

Trousseau des CorvéesAnother of the Jura’s unique red varietals, the Trousseau grape makes a slightly darker and more structured wine than does Ploussard while still maintaining a bright personality…