Fascinating wine. This is Vin Jaune (Yellow Wine) from the Jura (near the Swiss border in France). It is made in a dry, oxidative style utilizing late harvested Savagnin grapes. The wines are made similar to Sherry where a blanket of yeasts forms over the top as the wine is ageing for a minimum of 60 months. This does not appear to be fortified as the label lists 14% abv. It comes in a .625L squat bottle known as a Clavelin with a yellow wax over the cork. Supposedly, this size allows the winemaker to start with 1 Liter which after the minimum of six years before release has reduced (evaporated) down to 625ml. Reading up on these wines after the fact, it appears these should be opened a day ahead to allow it to breathe and some of the more chemical scents can clear. Oh well. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is oxidized with a fair amount of alcohol. it has a perception of sweetness and a bit of formaldehyde. Going back to it after a couple of hours, it was much cleaner. Nutty with a bit of curry. Full bodied and slightly viscous. On the palate, there is a bitter orange rind quality but in a good way. The nuttiness caries thru. A long finish. This wine really works better with salty foods. Even a few nuts work to balance the alcohol. A little goes a long way but it is interesting and contemplative if not for everyone. These wines are said to be able to age for one hundred years so no hurry.
