Château-Chalon 2016 – Domaine Courbet

Overview

The Château-Chalon 2016 from Domaine Courbet is an iconic Jura wine, celebrated for its elegance and longevity. Made from 100% Savagnin grapes from 45–60-year-old vines, grown on soils rich in blue, grey, and red marl, clay with limestone and gravel residues. Natural viticulture and long maturation under the yeast veil (velo de flor) give it unique character and aromatic complexity. Château-Chalon 2016 perfectly expresses the terroir and tradition of the Château-Chalon AOC.

Wine History

The Château-Chalon appellation has a centuries-old history, and Domaine Courbet has passed down the art of crafting this excellence through generations. Manual harvesting and careful vinification follow traditional methods, respecting Jura’s philosophy. The 2016 vintage allowed optimal grape ripening, producing a structured and profound wine that will evolve gracefully in the bottle for many years.

Vineyard Philosophy

The vineyards for Château-Chalon 2016 are managed with natural practices, without synthetic chemicals, ensuring maximum terroir expression. Soil management and vine care allow balanced ripening and concentrated aromas in the final wine. Respecting the vine’s natural rhythm is central to Domaine Courbet’s philosophy.

Vinification

Vinification takes place entirely in stainless steel, followed by 12 months initial aging, then about 7 years in tonneaux under the yeast veil (velo de flor). No fining or filtration is applied, and no SO₂ is added, preserving aromatic purity. This long aging develops Château-Chalon 2016’s complexity and distinctive character, remaining faithful to tradition.

Tasting Notes

Color: deep golden with amber reflections.
Nose: complex aromas of dried fruits, sweet spices, and yeast, with typical Jura mineral notes.
Palate: elegant and persistent, vibrant acidity, perfect balance, long and enveloping finish.

Food Pairing

Ideal with aged cheeses, foie gras, mushroom dishes, and seafood, and excellent as a contemplative wine on its own.

Technical Sheet

• Variety: 100% Savagnin

• Appellation: Château-Chalon AOC

• Vineyard area: 0.95 ha

• Soil: blue, grey, and red marl, clay with limestone and gravel residues

• Average vine age: 45–60 years

• Viticulture: natural

• Harvest: manual

• Vinification: stainless steel

• Aging: 12 months in steel + 7 years in tonneaux under yeast veil

• Fining: no

• Filtration: no

• SO₂ added: no

• Production: 2,000 bottles

• Alcohol: 13%

• Serving temperature: 12–14°C

Domaine Courbet – Jura

History and Tradition

Founded in 1869, Domaine Courbet is one of the most authentic wine estates in the Jura. Today the domaine is managed by Jean-Marie and Damien, heirs of a long family tradition that combines respect for the land with a modern vision. The winery is located in Nevy-sur-Seille, in the heart of the Baume-les-Messieurs valley, an area renowned not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its viticultural heritage. In the early days, the family also raised livestock and cultivated cereals. Over time, they decided to dedicate all their efforts to viticulture, transforming the estate into a winery focused exclusively on wine production.

The Vineyard

Domaine Courbet owns 7.6 hectares of vineyards, facing south/southwest, divided between the prestigious Château-Chalon and Côtes du Jura appellations (in the communes of Domblans and Menétru-le-Vignoble). The Savagnin (4 ha) is grown on soils rich in blue, grey and red marl, giving the wines complexity, freshness and strong ageing potential. Chardonnay (3.05 ha) thrives on clay-limestone soils, ideal for producing elegant, mineral-driven wines. The red varieties, Trousseau (0.8 ha) and Poulsard (0.15 ha), are cultivated on soils with marl and calcareous gravel deposits, which provide finesse and a distinctive Jura aromatic profile.

Winemaking Philosophy

Since 2004, part of the vineyards has been converted to biodynamics (not certified), a process completed in 2015. With the 2016 vintage, Domaine Courbet wines obtained official organic certification, the culmination of a decade-long commitment to sustainability. Vineyard work is meticulous, with low yields and careful attention to soil vitality. In the cellar, the approach is natural and respectful, with spontaneous fermentations and minimal intervention to preserve both terroir expression and varietal typicity.

The Identity of Domaine Courbet

Today, Domaine Courbet is a true reference in the Jura for those who seek authenticity, elegance and respect for nature. Each bottle tells the story of the soils, the vines, and a family that for over 150 years has cultivated wine with passion and dedication.