Domaine du Pélican - Chardonnay 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A single-vineyard Chardonnay that is still holding back, but whose body and structure show great promise. Tasted from the barrel in early 2019.

About the estate:

Guillaume d’Angerville, a winegrower in Volnay, acquired the 5-hectare Chavanes estate in 2012 and renamed it Le Pélican, after the symbol of Arbois. He later added 4.5 hectares taken over from Jacques Puffeney, as well as another 5 hectares of white wine vineyards located at the entrance to Arbois. Managed by François Duvivier, the estate is run biodynamically, drawing inspiration notably from Pignier. The lineup, focused on Jura grape varieties (ouillés), also includes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, offering a classic interpretation of their appellations. The estate continues to embrace innovation, with a new winery nearing completion, a first vin jaune in the works, and experiments with orange wine, single-vineyard cuvées, straw wine, late harvests, whole-cluster vinification, and aging in large oak casks...

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

I preferred the 2018 Arbois Chardonnay in bottle to the unbottled sample I tasted last time. It’s a well-crafted Chardonnay with toasty and spicy notes, a bit creamy, well-structured, and more Burgundian in style than most Jura Chardonnays. The wine is flavorful and finishes with a salty note, featuring well-integrated oak and the signature of a talented 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 estate in Volnay, and François Duvivier, his estate manager, the Domaine du Pélican is a recent venture. In addition to a young vineyard, replanted starting in 2001, the estate based in Montigny-lès-Arsures has taken over the vineyards of Jacques Puffeney—a historic figure in Arbois viticulture—on a leasehold basis. The first wines demonstrate great technical mastery, with serene, 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 poised to play a major role in the Arbois wine scene.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

Ripe, creamy, and chalky on the nose, with notes of lemon and fresh apple; clean and pure. Creamy, firm, and chewy. The palate is tight at first but opens up slowly, with a creamy, fresh finish. It is pure and deep, though it lacks the same minerality as the single-vineyard Chardonnay. Creamy and rich after aeration. Surprisingly deep for such a low alcohol content.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2018 Arbois Chardonnay is absolutely delicious. Bright and full-bodied, this Chardonnay truly showcases the vintage’s potential. With notes of lemon zest, white flowers, mint, and tropical fruits, all these aromas come together to create a very expressive, warm Chardonnay. It is a truly beautiful wine. It should be allowed to breathe slightly before serving to let the reduction subside.