Wineshark Wine Journey - Chateau d'Arlay

Arlay Castle is an entirely family-owned estate which is devoted to developing traditional wines capable of ageing, where all the soil characteristics can express themselves with elegance. The estate is considered to be the oldest wine-growing chateau in France, dating from 1070 which is proved by the archives kept there. In other respects, Arlay has always been handed down by legitimate inheritance from its foundation until today. A very rare event in Europe!

By virtue of its position in the roots of the wine industry, it forms part of the reputation of the great wines of France and this has often earned it the title of a top Jura vineyard ("grand cru du Jura"). It stands as a brand of tradition and quality as much in France as abroad. This is emphasized by a unique emblematic labeling of the bottles which has remained unchanged since 1917.

The vineyard comprises nearly 25 hectares, planted with three types of red grape (Pinot, Trousseau and Poulsard) and two types of white grape (Chardonnay and the typical local grape Savagnin). All of them are located on hills at a height between 200 to 400 metres. For the most part, the vines are old vines planted in 1953 and 1974. Therefore the yields are limited, 30 hectolitres per hectare, and the estate doesn't produce sparkling wines.

The estate practices a organic cultivation on a part of the vineyard. And on the rest a reasoned growing, close to organic one. The grapes are hand harvested and manually selected.

All the vines face south, which is unusual in the region. Moreover, the terroir of Arlay is renowned for the specific characteristics of its subsoil, the grey marls of the lower Lias, from the Jurassic period, which has been named because of the region.

From these distinctive natural conditions and the long tradition of wine-making in Arlay, are born, time after time, unique wines typical of Arlay. They stand for the best expression of the land, which is the priority over anything else.

The average production is about 90,000 bottles. Being the oldest wine growing castle, the estate stick to the traditional way, proven by experience. The mixture of grapes is made right at the time when they are picked. The wine is not made from blended wines made separately like many other places in Jura. Blending and filtration of the wines are limited as far as possible.

The wines are matured in old casks, always topped up, even the white wines. They stay in their casks for about 3 to 4 years, much more than the majority of Jura winemakers. This process answers to the desire to seek aromatic complexity and elegance in each wine, where the characteristics of a vintage can fully express themselves.

The Vin Jaune, or yellow wine, is the jewel and emblem of the estate, the one which earns a ranking amongst the greatest grand cru in the world. A dry and powerful wine with walnut fragrance, the Vin Jaune is obtained using only Savagnin grapes from 1953 & 1974 vines. Made the same way it has always been made, it is matured for 6.5 years in a barrel allowing a slow natural evaporation without topping up, no sulphating and under a natural film of local yeasts without the addition of commercial yeast. A rigorous selection of barrels is done to ensure only the best blending once a year.

The Vin de Paille is the authentic and rare 'straw wine' with a fresh style of sweetness, richness and complexity. It is obtained by a severe selection of 2 red grapes (Trousseau and Poulsard) and 2 white grapes (Chardonnay and Savagnin) picked up at perfect maturity without a single trace of rot on the fruits. Then the grapes are dried in an opened attic for 4 months, checking daily to avoid any rot. After being pressed, the wine will ferment for 3 to 4 years in small old casks. Nearly 100 kg of grapes are needed to produce 12 to 15 litres of straw wines. Each bottle is numbered and wax tagged.

Tasting Note (1999 Vin de Paille)

Appearance: Bright and clear, the wine is of light brown colour with greenish rims and legs.

Nose: Clean, with medium (+) intensity aromas of dried fruit of raisin and fig, oxidation notes of caramel, maturity notes of honey, mushroom and tobacco, mineral notes of beeswax, kernel notes of cocoa. The wine is fully developed.

Palate: Medium sweet with high acidity, medium tannin of ripe and silky texture, the wine has medium (+) alcohol, full body and medium (+) intensity flavors of dried fruit of raisin, stone fruit of apricot and peach, kernel notes of walnut, oxidation notes of caramel. The wine has a medium (+) finish.

Conclusion: Very good quality Vin de Paille with an intense nose showing good complexity, with lots of tertiary characters from the oxidation and development, the wine has perfect balance of sweetness with the acidity, making it refreshing on the palate. The richness on the body and concentrated flavours, as well as fairly long finish, makes it ready to drink and can maintain for another 10-15 years.