2022 Croix & Courbet Côtes du Jura Savagnin Ouillé, Jura

Croix & Courbet is the small, artisan Jura estate of Cécile Masson and Xavier Gros, a husband and wife team who left Burgundy to pursue a purer, limestone driven expression of Savagnin in the southern Jura. Based around Rotalier, they farm organically on blue and grey marl soils that give Savagnin its hallmark tension and salinity. Their philosophy is low intervention and vineyard transparency, allowing the grape’s natural character to unfold without heavy winemaking influence.

This Savagnin is made in the ouillé style, meaning the barrels are topped up regularly during ageing to prevent oxidation. That choice preserves freshness and aromatic precision rather than encouraging the traditional nutty, oxidative notes associated with vin jaune. Fermentation is natural and élevage is patient, building subtle texture and depth while keeping the wine vibrant and mineral.

Pale gold in colour, the aromas open with lemon zest, green apple and pear layered with almond, fennel and crushed stone. The palate is medium bodied and tightly structured, with citrus and orchard fruit carried by bright acidity and a lightly chalky texture. Flavours of lime, subtle spice and saline minerality run long through a clean, focused finish.

It pairs beautifully with Comté, roast chicken, seafood and mushroom dishes. Already expressive in its youth, it will cellar confidently for ten to fifteen years, developing savoury and nutty complexity while retaining freshness.