Domaine de la Pinte Vin Jaune 2016

Vin Jaune is the signature wine of the Jura, made here by Domaine de la Pinte from Savagnin in the AOC Arbois, from a biodynamically farmed estate founded in 1953 at the heart of Arbois. The style is defined by its ageing. After fermentation the wine is put into old barrels and left for over six years without topping up, so a film of yeast, the voile, forms on the surface. Ageing under this veil exposes the wine to controlled oxidation, converting alcohol to acetaldehyde and generating the sotolon compound behind Vin Jaune's hallmark curry, walnut and dried herb character, while the flor also protects it and adds a yeasty, umami depth. The finished wine loses volume to evaporation and is bottled in the traditional 620ml clavelin. Marl and limestone soils and the region's continental climate underpin its acidity. It pours deep gold, with a powerful nose of walnut, almond, green apple and warm spice. The palate is bone dry, intense and long, savoury and nutty with a saline, persistent finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, ideally decanted, in a larger glass.