Domaine Jean Vullien et Fils, Roussette de Savoie 2014

Jean Vullien Winery

Domaine Jean Vullien et Fils   While this alpine area of eastern France may be better known for skiing than viticulture, a cadre of Savoyard vignerons are producing excellent wines here. The region's best come from a boomerang-shaped string of six hillside crusbetween Grenoble and Albertville (site of 1992 Winter Olympics) called the Combe de Savoie (Combe is a word of Celtic origin meaning a sharp, deep valley). Jean Vullien and his two sons, David and Olivier, tend 69 acres on the Combe with prime parcels in four of the six crus. The domaine's holdings include all of the region's indigenous grape varieties, as well as strategically-placed parcels of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (the boys both graduated from La Viti in Beaune). While the Vulliens have been making wine for 36 years, the family is perhaps best known as a leader in another segment of the wine industry. Since 1890, Vullien Pépinière Viticole (vine nursery) has been supplying young vines to growers throughout France. In fact, they are responsible for 25% of the Chardonnay planted in Chablis today.

Domaine Jean Vullien et Fils Roussette de Savoie 2014    Varietals: 100% Roussette (Altesse in Savoie) Appellation: Savoie Soil: Dark Jurassic limestone and black marl base with pebbly topsoil layer of scree (degraded limestone fragments that have accumulated over time from Massif des Bauges slopes above) Viticulture: Manual harvest with strict selection in both vineyard and on sorting table before crush Vinification Methods: Total destemming. Allfermentation and majority of élevage takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Malo-lactic fermentation carried out on to round out natural acidity.  Tasting Notes: Aromas of orange zest, nutmeg, and toasted hazelnuts leads to a juicy and refreshing palate. Bright notes of lemon, citrus zest, and moderately ripe pit fruit flavors in the finish.

Roussette - Altesse Grape Cluster Roussette - Altesse    Altesse or Roussette is a white French wine grape variety found primarily in the Savoy wine region of France. It yields small harvests and ripens late but is resistant to grey rot. Wines made from Altesse have exotic aromas, often together with citrus and herbs, and have good acidity. They are considered to age well. In the vineyard, Altesse is said to be very similar to the Furmint variety of Hungary. The origin of Altesse is subject to various claims, including an origin in Cyprus, but a French origin seems more probable.