STEPHANE TISSOT LES GRAVIERS 2018

Wine Insight

Stéphane Tissot, who grew up on the estate, has been the driving force behind the dramatic resurgence of Jura wines over the last 20 years. André and Mireille, Stéphane’s parents, started the domaine in 1962 - Stéphane remembers cleaning barrels as a kid (small enough to get in them!). His first vintage was 1989 at the age of 19 and his precise work in the cellar was immediately recognized by his peers, as Jura wines were then quite "rustic," nothing like what is made today. Stephane soon stopped adding yeasts for his fermentations and, after meeting Nady Foucault at Clos Rougeard, he began conversion to organic agriculture, one of the first in the Jura.

The domaine was certified organic in 1999 and biodynamic in 2004 and new plantings were all done with massale selection rather than the clones then used throughout the region. He produced his first "Chardonnay de Terroir" in 1997 and In 2000 he was able to purchase great parcels in Les Bruyeres, La Mailloche and Chateau Chalon. "Our biodynamic work in the vineyards gives us pleasure and enables us to vinify our wines in a natural way that reflects our terroirs and our work, far from the industrial techniques that banalize wine." Stephane's energy, intelligence and hard work have helped transform the Jura from a vinous backwater into one of the world's most exciting wine regions.

"Sourced from Chardonnay vine planted in limestone-rich soils, this is one of Stephane’s wines that really stand out. Fermentations occur with native yeasts and aging is in large, neutral oak barrels. On the nose it is rife with citrus, smoke, jasmine tea, wet river stones, and musky tropical melon - truly exciting. With time, it softens a bit allowing subtle floral aromatics to come forward. The palate is powerful and full-bodied with mouth-watering salinity, lemon curd, more smoke, and overripe pineapple. This is a serious, stunning, and contemplative wine."

Pairs Well With:
Laphet Thohk – Green Tea Salad

Sounds Like:
Gorillaz - Desole