CHATEAU DE LA TOUR Cuvee Classique , Clos de Vougeot

There’s something quietly thrilling about the wines of Cellier Saint Benoit. Based in Arbois Pupillin, Benjamin Benoit’s domaine is still young by any standard, yet the clarity and character of his wines place them firmly among the Jura’s most compelling new voices. After time spent with Charles Lachaux, Amélie Berthaut, and Nicolas Faure in Burgundy, Benoit returned home earlier than planned in 2019 following the sudden passing of his father. That year marked his first vintage, and by 2020, he had full control of the domaine — bringing with him a clear and focused vision rooted in both tradition and precision. Rather than blending parcels, Benoit vinifies and bottles his lieux-dits separately, giving each site its own voice. The 6.25 hectares of vines — planted to Chardonnay, Savagnin, Ploussard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir — are farmed with care, and the cellar work is firmly low-intervention. Inspired by the techniques of Pierre Overnoy, Benoit works with minimal inputs: careful destemming of Ploussard by hand, whole-cluster ferments for Trousseau and Pinot Noir, gentle pressing of whole bunches for the whites, and aging in neutral oak. The use of sulphur is minimal, and in some cuvées, absent altogether. The result is a suite of wines that feel clear-eyed and precise, yet still vibrant and soulful — wines that make you stop and pay attention. They’re not inexpensive, but they are important. As the Jura continues to evolve and mature, Benoit’s wines feel like a glimpse of where things are headed, a signpost for the future of Arbois Pupillin, honouring the region’s heritage but elevated by a new generation’s clarity of purpose. Sourced from a cooler site in Pupillin, Courbes Raies Pinot Noir is whole cluster fermented to preserve its natural freshness and structure. A fine-textured and mineral expression of Jura Pinot.

Nestled between La Marcette and Champ-Berrand, Les Charots in one of Pupillin’s smaller lieu-dits. It sits on a very steep slope under La Marcette on orange-tinted soils rich in iron. There’s a lot of yellow Bajocian limestone, too, which Benjamin finds gives this wine a more chiselled personality and citrusy, mineral edge. From 30-year-old vines, this was first made in 2021. To emphasise the different terroirs of each parcel, the winemaking for all the Chardonnays remains very similar. All the grapes are pressed as whole bunches into used 600-litre barrels for fermentation and 12 months of lees-aging. Benjamin then decants off the gross lees, and the wine rests on clean lees in stainless steel for a further six months, allowing him to bottle the wines without filtration. It’s a stunning wine, well summed up by the note below.

The Cellier Saint Benoit Arbois Pupillin Courbes Raies Chardonnay 2022 is a stunning example of the Jura region's mastery of cool-climate Chardonnay. Aromas of crisp green apple and ripe pear are complemented by delicate notes of toasted almond and a touch of honey. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and refreshing, with a bright acidity that balances out the creamy texture. The limestone soils of Pupillin lend a mineral complexity to the wine, adding layers of flint and wet stone to the already complex flavour profile. The 2022 vintage is a standout, with a beautiful pale gold colour and a long, lingering finish. This is a wine that will continue to evolve and develop over the next few years, making it a great addition to any cellar. A true gem from Cellier Saint Benoit that showcases the best of Jura's Chardonnay.

The 2022 Louis Jadot Cotes de Nuits Villages LeVaucrain from Burgundy, France is a stunning representation of the region's renowned terroir. This wine, produced by the esteemed Louis Jadot, exudes an elegant deep ruby hue and opens with a bouquet of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, intertwined with subtle hints of earth and spice. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and complex, with a medium body and soft tannins. Flavors of red berries, black currants, and a touch of oak are delicately balanced, creating a harmonious and lingering finish. This vintage is a true testament to the art of winemaking, showcasing the best of Burgundy in a single bottle. Enjoy now or cellar for further development. Perfectly paired with roasted meats or mature cheeses.