Philippe Bornard
Wines from the Jura are one of the hottest ticket items in wine bars across the globe at present. Whether you are in Chapeau Melon in Paris, Gramercy Tavern in New York or Garagistes in Hobart it is likely you will be offered a wine from the Jura to try. Why has this obscure wine producing region known mainly for the aged, yellow, savoury Vin Jaune become so popular?
Perhaps it was the flavoursome Savagnin white wines or the delicious Chardonnays that brought it to the forefront, or perhaps it is a reaction to the heavy reds of Australia and the United States with drinkers preferring the lighter, more expressive styles of the Ploussard and Pinot Noir wines from here.
Regardless, we are delighted to be working with Philippe Bornard, one of the regions most exciting natural winemakers. He produces a wide range of wine styles and we have ordered most of them to let you work out which ones you prefer.
Philippe lives in the quaint village of Pupillin which is quite close to Arbois near the Swiss border. He inherited the vineyard from his father and decided to make wine himself rather than sell his grapes to others. He makes his wine under his house which overlooks the village.
The wines cover two appellations. The first is the broader Cotes du Jura and then most of the wines are from the tiny Arbois Pupillin which only applies to grapes grown in the commune of Pupillin. You will notice that in this appellation it is permitted to name the grape variety on the label - which is unusual for France.
We have to apologise for the fact that these wines have sold like hotcakes without any advertising on our part. We totally underestimated the demand and have ordered yet another shipment as a result. Some are already marked as SOLD OUT, and others are perilously low.
We will let you know via the newsletter when the next shipment is likely to arrive.
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Ploussard La Chamade 2008
This Ploussard is exactly the style of wine we have come to prefer. Darker in
colour than other wines made from this grape, long on flavour
and with a soft and silky mouth feel. There is an earthiness about this wine but
the finish is reminiscent of cherries that have been lightly spiced. The grapes are macerated for three weeks in
fibreglass tanks and the wine is then aged in one of the large wooden foudres
that line his winery for a year before the wine is bottled.
"La Chamade" literally means 'wildly' but in the context of the pounding of the heart when drinking a good wine.
Wine iconoclast Lou Amdur of Lou's wine bar in Los Angeles had this to say about La Chamade recently:
"Bornard’s Ploussard is, nevertheless, hardly a wallflower, but a very pretty wine that insinuates itself into the conversation and before you know it, you are staring sadly at an empty bottle."
RRP: SOLD OUT: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Trousseau Le Ginglet 2009
As
with the previous vintage, this light, lively, red wine made from the Trousseau grape is as easy to
drink as the Le Ginglet tag suggests. However this is not to say that it is a
simple wine - there is quite a lot happening in the glass. You can discern the
influence of the limestone soils in this wine and there is a hint of spice on
the finish making it perfect as a food wine. This is a delightful example of
what can be achieved with this delicate, little-known grape variety.RRP: SOLD OUT: MORE ARRIVING SOON
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Ploussard Point Barre 2010
If you are smitten by big, robust, Barossa shiraz wines then please don't buy
this one.
The Point Barre is made from the Poulsard (aka Ploussard) grape and is a light, delicate almost translucent red wine that gives off aromas of red currants, citrus and saddle leather with a touch of cinnamon.
There is a purity and silkiness to this wine that makes it quite ethereal. It matches with just about any food you care to think of.
RRP: SOLD OUT: MORE ARRIVING SOON
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Pinot l'Aide Memoire 2007
Lovers of Burgundian-style Pinot Noir wines might find this one a bit
different! There is an earthiness to this funky, 'alive' wine that we find quite appealing.
There are notes of mushroom (in a nice way) and cherry and a mineral finish that
is quite long. As with many of Philippe's wines, this one has that lovely
savoury, umami quality that makes you want to take another sip. There is a lot
happening in the glass and yet the alcohol level is only 12.5%.RRP: $38
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Pinot l'Aide Memoire 2008
Lovers of Burgundian-style Pinot Noir wines might find this one a bit
different! There is an earthiness to this funky, 'alive' wine that we find quite appealing.
There are notes of mushroom (in a nice way) and cherry and a mineral finish that
is quite long. As with many of Philippe's wines, this one has that lovely
savoury, umami quality that makes you want to take another sip. There is a lot
happening in the glass and yet the alcohol level is only 12.5%.RRP: $38
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Trousseau le Garde-corps 2008
Where Le Ginglet is light and delicate, Le Garde-corps is a much stronger
wine even though it is made from the same grape variety, namely Trousseau.
Cherries are once again a dominant flavour here and the characteristic acidity
is present. This
wine can be drunk now or put down for a couple of years to see how it develops
in the bottle. However, whether you drink it now or later this wine will show you
another side of the Trousseau grape.
RRP: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Chardonnay Le Blanc de la Rouge 2007
The Blanc de la Rouge is an intense, concentrated, very dry Chardonnay that
shows characteristic mineral characters derived from the limestone soils in
which the vines thrive.
This wine shows how Chardonnay expresses itself differently at this higher altitude than nearby Burgundy.
RRP: SOLD OUT: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Melon Le Rouge Queue 2008
The first thing you notice about the label on this wine is that Philippe
regards Melon as a different grape variety. This is not Melon de Bourgogne but a
variant or cousin of Chardonnay that has 'evolved' in this region. The local
name of the grape is Melon-Queue-Rouge which refers to the red stems of the
vines. Bornard thinks that people just forgot about this grape but his father
and a few others kept growing it even though it was a smaller grape and somewhat
susceptible to disease. However the INAO which officially controls French
appellation law does not recognise its existence.
There are some oxidative notes in this wine which makes it very appealing to those of us who crave this experience. It is a big, fruity wine but with a razor-sharp streak of acidity offsetting the sweetness of the fruit. As is the case with many of the Bornard wines, the finish is incredibly long.
Chambers Street Wines in New York said this of the Melon recently:
This Melon-Queue-Rouge (a variety related to Chardonnay) is fermented in fiberglass and then aged in old Burgundy barrels and demi-muids. The wine is minty and green apple-y with the characteristic generosity we associate with Bornard's wines and a riveting streak of acidity that carries through to the finish.
RRP: SOLD OUT: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Melon Le Rouge Queue Fût Neuf 2007
A similar wine to the one described above, but this one has been aged in oak giving it some tones of vanilla.
RRP: SOLD OUT
Philippe Bornard Côtes du Jura Savagnin Ouillé Les Chassagnes 2006
This lovely wine is made from 100% Savagnin which is a white grape that is
native to the Jura region. It is named after the lieu-dit or plot of land where
the Savagnin is grown. As with many wines from the Jura this wine has been
made with a slight oxidative edge which gives it a beautiful, nutty, savoury, umami quality that makes for compelling drinking.
You will get notes of grapefruit. almonds and hazelnuts and even salt before you notice the long, long finish. This is an incredibly exciting wine that is unlike any produced in this country. You have to try it to see what we are raving about.
Note that the term ouillé refers to the technique of topping up barrels as the wine evaporates to ensure that minimal oxygen gets in contact with the wine.
RRP: SOLD OUT: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Côtes du Jura Savagnin Les Marnes 2006
This wine will grab the attention of the oxidative crowd even though it is, to our taste, relatively minor. Let's explain about sous-voile wines. These are wines that evaporate in the barrel (usually a very large cask) during the four years of ageing and a 'veil' of yeast forms on the surface of the wine to protect it from the more negative effects of oxygen. The resultant wine develops nutty characteristics and a savoury palate that is quite compulsive. The wine was produced with native yeasts and very little sulphur has been added to the bottle. The old casks that the wine is matured in impart little if no oak flavour. This is an intriguing and beautiful wine that will appeal to lovers of the Jura experience.
RRP: SOLD OUT - NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Côtes du Jura Chardonnay Les Gaudrettes 2007
Les Gaudrettes was a stand-out at our tasting in Philippe's cellar. It is a
fresh-tasting Chardonnay of some complexity and with a beautiful mouth-feel. It
exhibits the same characteristics as his other wines on the finish - long and
lingering.
Read a review of Les Gaudrettes by Dave Brookes, a respected South Australian wine writer on his blog Vinofreakism*:
We would urge you to read the entire review but in part he says:
"Pale gold in the glass with aromes of ripe, snappy citrus and stone-fruits…..grapefruit, lemon, white peach and a touch of crunchy pear. There are hints of spice, hazelnut, marzipan, white flowers and almond….it really is a very pretty smelling wine.On the palate the wine is bright and energetic with a terrific entry on the palate awash with vibrant citrus, apple and pear fruits. The soft spice inflow starts on the mid-palate with hints of minerals, white flowers and grilled nuts. Great energy, freshness and persistent finish…..a gouleyant wine …..a thirst-quencher and one with great appeal at that!"
RRP: SOLD OUT
Philippe Bornard Vin de Table Vin de Pagaille 2005
This wine is made in the Vin de Paille style and is aged for years before
bottling. This wine is a blend of Ploussard, Savagnin and Chardonnay (it is
permitted in Arbois Pupillin to add red grapes to white wines provided they
don't exceed 20% of the mix). The technique sees very ripe grapes being picked
and then left to dry our on straw mats to increase the concentration.
500 ml format
RRP: SOLD OUT
Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Ivresse de Noe 2007
The
fascinating Ivresse de Noe, meanwhile, is a November harvest Savagnin. A little residual
sugar linked to high acidity gives this non-oxidative Savagnin an unusual
flavour and texture; it is a beautiful, vinous wine with a very long finish.
This is what Chambers Street Wines said in their recent newsletter:
This is the magical wine that stole my heart a year ago when I visited the cellar of Philippe Bornard. The Savagnin grapes that make this wine are harvested in November and some residual sugar is left in the wine after fermentation, resulting in a lightly sweet yet concentrated Savagnin that offers aromas of honey, quince, and orchard fruit. This wine has never been seen in the US before and, frankly, if I had the luxury of a Christmas stocking this year, this is the wine I would want to find in it.
500 ml format
RRP: $56
Philippe Bornard Crémant du Jura NV
The Bornard Crémant is a sparkling wine made from
100% Chardonnay. It is full of stone-fruit aromas and has an appealing
minerality and savouriness on the palate. The baked apple aromas and dry finish
of this delicious and affordable alternative to Champagne make it a perfect
aperitif.
RRP: SOLD OUT: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Vin de Table Pétillant Naturel Rose Tant Mieux NV
This gorgeous, pink sparkling wine made in the Pétillant
Naturel style is made from the Ploussard grape. The wine completes its
fermentation in the bottle and no sugar is added. Nor is it disgorged so you
will find some residual yeast remaining in the bottle. It is very low in alcohol
at around 9% and has an appealing residual sweetness. There is
not much of it made and we have only a small allocation.
RRP: SOLD OUT: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Vin de Table Pétillant Naturel En Go-guette NV
The
Bornard En Go-guette is a lovely white sparkling wine made in the Pétillant
Naturel style is made from the Chardonnay grape. The wine completes its
fermentation in the bottle and no sugar is added. Nor is it disgorged so you
will find some residual yeast remaining in the bottle. It is very low in alcohol
at around 10%.
RRP: SOLD OUT
Philippe Bornard Vin de Table Pétillant Naturel Ca Va Bien NV
"Things are going well" when you are drinking a bottle of the
Bornard Ca Va Bien which is a lovely white sparkling wine made in the Pétillant
Naturel style made from the Savagnin grape. The wine completes its
fermentation in the bottle and no sugar is added. Nor is it disgorged so you
will find some residual yeast remaining in the bottle. It is very low in alcohol
at around 10%.
RRP: SOLD OUT: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON
Philippe Bornard Jo Liqueur
This sweetish wine has been fortified and runs to 17% alcohol. It is made in
the local Macvin style but not strictly according to the rules required for it
to sport the appellation "Macvin du Jura" on the label. A marc or eau-de-vie
style alcohol made in the Jura and matured for 18 months is added to the wine to
stop the fermentation and to ensure that the sweetness is retained. Macvin has
been produced in this area since the 14th century even though the appellation
was only proclaimed in 1991.
700ml format
RRP: SOLD OUT
Philippe Bornard Arbois Vin Jaune 2000
There are strict rules relating to the production of Vin Jaune or 'yellow
wine' in the Jura. It is matured in old 228 litre cask which are not topped up.
The maturation must continue for a minimum of 6 years and 3 months. This means that a film of yeast develops on the surface of the wine (known as a
voile) thus protecting it from the oxygen in the gap in the barrel. However some
oxidation occurs giving the wine some sherry-like characteristics even though it
is never fortified like sherry.
Vin Jaune is very much a cult wine with 50000 people attending the annual festival in Arbois to celebrate the bottling of the current Vin Jaune.
620 ml format
RRP: SOLD OUT: NEW VINTAGE COMING SOON