DOMAINE DE LA PINTE
Arbois
Jura
Located at the very heart of Arbois, specifically in “La Pinte à la Capitaine” on the beautiful blue marl soils of the Lias, founder and geologist Roger Martin, planted 14 hectares of Savagnin. It was then the largest estate planted with Savagnin. Today, Pierre Martin perpetuates the work of his father and has enlarged the estate which totals 34 hectares of vines.
With 20 years of organic farming (conversion took place in 1999) and 10 years of biodynamic practices under his belt, Pierre leads a team that operate purely on a philosophy of minimal intervention. Biodynamic culture also allows the indigenous yeasts to grow on the skin of the grapes, which are harvested by hand and are spontaneously fermented. The use of sulfur is limited and not systematic - a very small amount is added at bottling.
Arbois Chardonnay
Vintage 2022
Style White
Region Arbois
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone, Blue marl
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Grapes are harvested by hand and direct pressed. Fermentation with native yeasts in tank and ageing for 13 months in wooden barrels of 52hl and 228L. Unfiltered with the tiniest addition of SO2 at bottling.
Tasting Note This is an elegant Chardonnay that combines power and precision, with great concentration of flavours and balance to match that of some top producers in the Côte d'Or. Green aniseed, citrus fruits, honey and fresh hazelnut. On the palate, it is rounded yet balanced by mouthwatering acidity and citrus zest.
Arbois Chardonnay Fonteneille
Vintage 2020
Style White
Region Arbois
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone, Griffées Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Grapes are harvested by hand and direct pressed. Fermentation with native yeasts in tank and ageing for 26 months in oak barrels of a mixture of 5, 6 and 8hl. The wine undergoes a light filtration and a small addition of SO2 is added only during bottling phase.
Tasting Note
Arbois Savagnin
Vintage 2019
Style White
Region Arbois
Varieties Savagnin
ABV 15%
Soils Lias Blue Marl
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking This small-berried, low yielding Savagnin comes from a couple of plots planted with some of the oldest vines across the estate. Direct press is followed by a 24-hour must settling where gross lees are separated by gravity. Fermentation in in vat and malolactic occurs naturally after a first racking. It is aged for 3 years in foudres and old Burgundy barrels. Bottled after a light filtration for better aromatic precision and with very low sulphur.
Tasting Note On the nose it displays all the qualities of the vintage with great intensity on the fruit and spices. Quite velvety on the attack, it is followed by a bracing acidy balancing the riper notes and with attractive bitters on the finish. This is powerful round, yet herbal and full of energy.
Arbois, Cuvée de Automne
Vintage N/A
Style White (oxidative)
Region Arbois
Varieties Chardonnay, Savagnin
ABV 15.5%
Soils Clay, Limestone, Lias blue marl
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Handpicked grapes. Fermentation with native yeasts. After fermentation the wine is aged for 4 years. Most of the barrels are topped, except for a small 12% where the wine is allowed to develop a veil of flor (yeast), similarly to the technique used for making Vin Jaune. The barrels (topped-up and non topped-up ones) are then blended to obtain the perfect balance between freshness and oxidation.
Tasting Note Rich and layered. Notes of lemon peel, toasted nuts and a peculiar balsamic quality reminiscent of sherry. This wine will benefit from a decant and is a great entrance point to the oxidative style. A great partner with mushroom dishes, creamy curries, cheese fondues or the local Comté.
Sav’Or
Vintage 2020
Style Orange
Region Arbois
Varieties Savagnin
ABV 13.5%
Soils Clay, Limestone
Farming Organic, Biodynamic practices
Winemaking Fully de-stemmed Savagnin spend 12 days on skins with native yeasts in concrete vessels. After pressing it finishes the sugars in tank where it is aged for 6 months overall prior to bottling. Bottled unfiltered and sans souffre.
Tasting Note Sav’Or offers a spicy nose and confit citrus fruit. On the palate, it shows good intensity and pronounced bitters on a lengthy finish.
Arbois Poulsard, Pinte Bien
Vintage 2022
Style Red
Region Arbois
Varieties Poulsard
ABV 13.5%
Soils Trias red marls, Lias blue marls
Farming Organic, Biodynamic practices
Winemaking Hand picked grapes, fully de-stemmed. Maceration on the skins for 3 weeks. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts with light pump overs.
Aged for 7 months in old barrels of 54hl and oak demi muids. Light filtration. Total SO2 of 33mg/l.
Tasting Note Easy drinking red with smooth, well-integrated tannins and subtle bitters on the finish. Wild strawberries and herbal notes blending in with a hint of nutmeg spice and floral violet notes.
Arbois, La Capitaine
Vintage 2019
Style Red
Region Arbois
Varieties Pinot Noir, Poulsard
ABV 12.5%
Soils Trias red marls
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking The two varieties are fully de-stemmed and fermented in separate vats with very little to none action in terms of extraction. There are no pumpovers, only the occasional punch down. Pinot and Poulsard complete malolactic and are blended only after having spent 6 months on their own in barrel.
Tasting Note La Capitaine offers an attractive nose with hints of violet and red fruit. The Pinot really comes through with good depth and spice such as nutmeg, clove and a little vanilla.
Arbois Trousseau
Vintage 2018
Style Red
Region Arbois
Varieties Trousseau
ABV 12.5%
Soils Trias Red Marls
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Grapes are fully de-stemmed and undergo a 3-week cuvaison with daily pumpovers and punch downs to extract colour and body. At completion of malolactic it is aged in 52hL foudre for 8 months.
Tasting Note Ruby red in colour. It is fragrant on the nose with notes of blackberry and blackcurrant. A hint of smoke and sweet spices. Good depth balanced by a long, refreshing finish.
Paradoxe Savagnin Passerillé
Vintage
Style Sweet
Region Arbois
Varieties Savagnin
ABV 11.5%
Soils Lias Blue Marls
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking The Savagnin bunches are harvested early and delicately laid on racks in a well ventilated attic. The grapes undergo Passérillage, or in other words are allowed to dehydrate and raisin for a period of time in order to concentrate all the flavours, sugar and acidity. After fermentation the wine is aged for 3 years in oak barrels.
Tasting Note Notes of fresh honey, herbal tones, white pear, stone fruit jam on the nose lead to a concentrated and oily palate. This is refreshed by spicy pineapple fruit and lime zest on the finish.
Size 37.5cl
Vieux Marc d’Arbois
Style Eau de Vie
ABV 45%
Production Double distillation of Poulsard marc and aged in oak casks for 7 years. With an ageing potential of 50+ years and only 150 bottles produced this is an extremely unique spirit.
Tasting Note The ultimate digestif. This rare distillate is waxy, crayon-like at the opening, becoming much fruitier with exposure. Scents of dried fig, prune and raisin with hints of cinnamon and clove. Christmas pudding in the liquid form.
Size 70cl