Vigne Derriere, Chardonnay, Guillaume Overnoy Cotes-du-Jura

ORGANIC / VEGAN 

Chardonnay from a tiny 0.2ha plot with high limestone soil, which is made in a non-oxidative style akin to its eastern neighbours in Burgundy. The pressed juice ferments naturally and then spends two years aging on the fine lees in old oak barrels to add balance and smoothen the edges, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. This is similar to a quality Chablis Grand Cru, with lots of sherbety citrus underlaid with a nice density and fleshier fruits such as peach and melon, alongside a striking chalky minerality. The palate is racy and fresh, and finishes on a creamy note, giving this wine balance, intensity and complexity in spades. 

Grand-nephew of the legendary Pierre Overnoy, Guillaume took over the estate in 2014 at the age of just 21, after his father had himself converted the family polyculture farm to winemaking in the early '80s. Guillaume tends to just 5.5ha of vines scattered amongst the varied soils of the Jura, trying to work as naturally as possible in accordance with organic principles, and preferring lengthy lees aging in his underground cellar (a minimum of two years for the whites, one year for the reds) rather than heavy usage of sulphites. He cultivates Chardonnay and Savagnin for the whites, alongside Trousseau, Pinot Noir, and Poulsard for the reds, all of which enjoy a variety of terroirs and produce wines that are remarkable in their purity, fruitiness, and tautness. A rising star to be watched very closely.

Origin: Jura, France
Vintage: 2020
Grape varieties: Chardonnay
Food pairings: Chicken, mushrooms, mild cheeses
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 13%