Nicolas Jacob - L'Etoile Chardonnay 'La-Bas' 2020

Nicolas Jacob, despite only having been producing wine since 2015 and having become fully independent in 2019, is one of the most stand-out producers with whom we’re lucky to work. He’s well-regarded in his native Jura, known for being uncomprimising, commited to an old-school, analog approach to viticulture and vinification. The only treatments in Jacob’s 4.5ha of vineyards are copper sulfate, biodynamic tisanes, and essential oils.

Occasional gentle tilling is done with tractor, but very little other mechanical work happens at this domaine. Ferment and very long élevage are all carried out in neutral barriques and demi-muids, barring a few occasional red wines that see concrete. Bottlings are sorted into micro-cuvées across minor variations in Jurassic soils (about which it’s hard to get Nicolas to speak, so the wines sort of have to be tasted to feel the small variations in terroir and texture of the wines).

Biodynamic. Single-vineyard Chardonnay on Liassic marl soils. Fermented and aged in used 600L demi-muids for 18 to 24 months.

Pair with cream sauces, fried foods, poultry and pork.

Type: White
Producer: Nicolas Jacob
Varietal: Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Jura
Farming: Biodynamic