Château-Chalon 2017 – Domaine Courbet

Overview

The Château-Chalon 2017 from Domaine Courbet is an iconic wine from Jura, renowned for its elegance and extraordinary longevity. This wine is made from 100% Savagnin grapes sourced from vines aged 45 to 60 years, grown on soils rich in blue, grey, and red marl, with limestone and residual chalk gravel. The natural vineyard approach and long maturation under the yeast veil (velo de flor) give this wine unique characteristics and unmatched aromatic complexity. Château-Chalon 2017 perfectly expresses the terroir and tradition of the Château-Chalon AOC designation.

Wine History

The Château-Chalon appellation has a centuries-old history, and Domaine Courbet has been contributing for generations to preserving its winemaking heritage. The manual grape harvest and careful vinification follow established methods, respecting Jura’s traditional philosophy. The 2017 vintage allowed optimal grape ripening, producing a wine with great structure and depth, ready to evolve in the bottle for many years.

Vineyard Philosophy

The vineyards dedicated to Château-Chalon 2017 are managed with natural practices, without synthetic chemicals, ensuring maximum terroir expression. Soil management and careful vine maintenance enable balanced grape ripening and aromatic concentration, reflected in the final wine. Respecting the natural rhythms of the vine is central to Domaine Courbet’s philosophy.

Winemaking Approach

Vinification is entirely in stainless steel, followed by a first 12-month aging before being transferred to tonneaux for approximately 7 years under the yeast veil (velo de flor). No fining or filtration is used, and no SO₂ is added, preserving aromatic purity. This long maturation allows Château-Chalon 2017 to develop complexity and a distinctive character while staying true to tradition.

Tasting Notes

Color: intense golden with amber highlights.
Nose: complex aromas of nuts, sweet spices, and yeast, with typical Jura mineral notes.
Palate: elegant and persistent, with vibrant acidity, perfect balance, and a long, enveloping finish.

Pairing

Perfect with aged cheeses, foie gras, mushroom dishes, and shellfish, and excellent as a contemplative wine to enjoy 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 residual chalk gravel

• Average vine age: 45–60 years

• Viticulture: natural

• Harvest: manual

• Vinification: in stainless steel

• Aging: 12 months in steel + 7 years in tonneaux under velo de flor

• 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.