Domaine du Pélican - Chardonnay 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

A single-vineyard Chardonnay that is still holding back, but whose substance and tension are promising. Tasted from the barrel in early 2019.

About the estate:

Guillaume d'Angerville, owner in Volnay, acquired the Chavanes estate (5 hectares) in 2012 and renamed it Le Pélican, symbol of Arbois. He then added 4.5 hectares taken over from Jacques Puffeney and another 5 hectares of white grapes located at the entrance to Arbois. Managed by François Duvivier, the estate is run biodynamically, taking inspiration from Pignier in particular. The range, focused on Jura grape varieties (ouillés), also includes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, delivering a classic interpretation of their appellations. The estate is constantly innovating, with a new winery nearing completion, a first vin jaune in preparation, and trials of orange wine, single-vineyard cuvées, straw wine, late harvests, whole-bunch vinification, and oak cask aging.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

I liked the Arbois Chardonnay 2018 better in the bottle than the unbottled sample I tasted last time. It's a well-made Chardonnay with toasty, spicy notes, a little creamy, well-textured, more Burgundian than most Chardonnays from the Jura. The wine is flavorful and finishes with a salty note, with integrated oak and the signature of a fine team of winemakers.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Owned by François d'Angerville, of the famous eponymous Volnay estate, and François Duvivier, his manager, the Pélican estate is a recent creation. In addition to a young vineyard, replanted in 2001, the Montigny-lès-Arsures-based estate has taken over the vineyards of Jacques Puffeney, a historic figure in Arbois viticulture. The first wines show great technical mastery, serene and accomplished expressions that offer a sober yet original interpretation of the region's great classics. We eagerly await the first vintages aged under a veil from this estate, which is set to play a major role in the Arbois landscape.

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

Ripe, creamy, and chalky on the nose with notes of lemon and fresh apple, straightforward and pure. Creamy, firm, and chewy. The palate is tight and opens slowly, with a creamy and fresh finish. It is pure and deep but does not have the same minerality as the single-vineyard Chardonnay. Creamy and rich when aerated. Surprising depth for a low alcohol content.

Vinous

About wine:

The Arbois Chardonnay 2018 is absolutely delicious. Bright and generous, this Chardonnay is a fine example of the vintage's potential. With aromas of lemon zest, white flowers, mint, and tropical fruits, all these flavors come together to create a very expressive wine, a warm Chardonnay. It is a beautiful wine. The wine should be aerated slightly before tasting to remove any reduction.