Jura recommendations

[sjw_11]

Hey folks,

Apropos of the tasting Waiter's Friend posted, I had a quick look but I couldn't see an easy compilation on the board of people's best recommendations for Jura. I know a few on here are pretty into it, and I keep meaning to look out for more of them since I guess over here I should be able to find most of them.

So, what are people's top recommendations for producers or specific wines from Jura?

Merci buckets

[Polymer]

Start with Ouille Chardonnay and Savagnin and if you want to try a red, Trousseau. It is an over simplification but basically all of the natural producers in the Jura are a good place to start.

Some producers that you might like that shouldn't be too hard to find.
Les Dolomies
Domaine de Saint-Pierre
Labet
Ganevat
Domaine du Pelican (which is probably more of a Jura made like a Burgundy)

There might be a few sous voile wines from those producers but not many..and probably not move to the oxidative stuff just yet...The above producers are fairly clean as well....

If you don't mind a bit of funk..and want a really refreshing smashable wine....Poulsard is a good option..but I think by most people's standards, it will be a bit too funky and maybe too light...but if you get to that point it opens up probably the rest of the Jura (Still in Ouille territory) which can be a bit funkier. You can look at the Pinots..and there are some good Pinots..but I think you can just as easily skip them as well and not miss a whole lot...
Domaine Ratte
Stephane Tissot
Are also a bit clean...although Ratte has a few cuvees that are a bit too "made for export" type wines but they have a few really good ones as well..

I think once you make the decision of funk yes/no....you may end up dipping your toe into some of the oxidatives....I'd look at
Gahier
Macle
Montbourgeau
As good examples of what you can get ox wise....Lots of other producers out there that have good oxidative wines including some that I've already mentioned...

And then you can dive into Vin Jaune...which is basically the oxidatives on crack...I actually think once you get ok with a bit of Ox, you might just find Vin Jaune a better spot than normal ox wines...they're oxidative but with a LOT of intensity (and hopefully a lot of acidity). IMO, sometimes the intensity can sometimes even overcome a good portion of the oxidative components although I suspect thats more of just getting used to it..but either way, I have sometimes found that they seem less oxidative than normal sous voile wines....I can only guess that the added intensity/flavor brings that out whereas a wine that has only been under voile for a few years will not have the same level of intensity...

I will say...
If you're still at a point where you think
VA (even when intentional) is a flaw
Trapped CO2 (even when intentional) is a flaw
A bit of natty/mousey flavors bother you a lot

Ouille Jura might not be a fun place..because every producer will have some wines that fall into those categories which will make it feel like a mine field....Sous Voile Jura doesn't have those issues but of course, you have to like oxidative...

[mychurch]

Great post

Check out the Terrason home page. He imports and has stock clearance sales every now and again - 12 bottles for $300.

[sjw_11]

Thanks for the comprehensive post Polymer! Really helpful.

[Polymer]

Tons of other really good producers but tried to keep it safer...St Pierre may have some wines a bit out there..Les Dolomies in 18 apparently had some ox notes in the ouille wines by the time it got to bottling...
And if you look for Ganevat....He has his domaine and neg wines....some of the neg wines are really crazy blends and some just aren't very good (but some are). His domaine wines are all very good...whites being significantly better than his reds...
Labet is going to be safe across the board...a couple of ox wines and a couple of cuvees which are funky/light/red white blend...but they make so many different wines..

And if you're searching out something like X..I'm sure plenty of people here can provide some other recommendations...

[Mark Carrington]

Some excellent recommendations above. The ones I would highlight are Labet (esp single parcel Chardonnay), Ganevat (despite high prices) Macle (esp. Cötes du Jura), Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille Tissot (accept no substitute Tissot!). Don't overlook Domaine de la Tournelle. Pélican is improving in leaps & bounds. The Savignin Grand Curoulet '18 (from 3YO vines) is outstanding.
It's worth tracking down Wink Lorch's defintive book pn the region.
And the other region which merits exploring is Savoie. It has a low profile & hence prices are more reasonable, with wines of true character.

[Polymer]

Wink's book is an excellent resource for learning about the region...Good for the history, the people the food and the wine in general....and of course it has information on many different producers...

I'm not sure I'd use it for producer recommendations though..just so much going on and things have changed...plus Wink is so nice you'd end up buying from everyone.