2007 Annie & Phillipe Bornard Chardonnay Les Gaudrettes

2007 Annie & Phillipe Bornard Côtes du Jura Chardonnay Les Gaudrettes

Perfect….a drive, a plane flight to Sydney, a shit-fight with a rental car, a quick drive, plonk my arse down at the bar at 10 William Street in Sydney with a mate, salute Matt behind the bar and tell him to sort us out and he chooses to pour us a glass of this.

For starters….I like the label….not sure what’s going on with the cheeky renard but I like the cut of its jib and the snazzy proprietary bottle…..it quenches our thirst immediately, calms our frazzled brains and allows us to sink into some delicious bar food at this snazzy new Sydney wine-bar.

Annie & Phillipe Bornard hail from the Jura…..and as we all know Jura wines are so hot right now….from a small village called Pupillin, near Arbois close to the border with Switzerland. They produce wines from two appellations within the region….the Arbois AOC (the biggest in the Jura at 850ha), Arbois-Pupillon from grapes sourced around the commune of Pupillon, and from the Côtes du Jura AOC (with 650ha under vine)…..the Côtes du Jura AOC is where this particular wine comes from.

The Jura is the bridge between Burgundy and the Alps….there are still traces of the limestone from the former but the soils tend to be a bit heavier with a larger dose of clay in the mix-up. The wine styles of the region vary greatly from fruit forward to heavily oxidative….and in true “Fear and Loathing” style…….as your accountant I suggest you try as wider range as humanly possible to get a feel for this fantastic region.

They farm biodynamically….6 hectares in all …..the wines are made very naturally and the is very low sulphur use in the cellar….I would presume just a touch at bottling.

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!

Price: $35 – Closure: Cork – Alcohol: 12.5% – Source: Wine Bar – Importer: Terroir Wines

Here’s to cheeky foxes that make you smile!

Cheeky little reynard!