But from the outset until the 2017 vintage, he worked alone and vinified just a third of his production, taking the rest of his grapes to the local cooperative (la fruitière vinicole de Voiteur). Having decided to take the plunge for the 2018 vintage and now vinify his entire production, he is surrounded by a team of 7 people, so he can devote himself to producing his parcel-based cuvées. Of the 10 hectares, 7 hectares are planted with Savagnin, his favourite grape variety for both its origins and its aromas; this is complemented by 2 hectares of Chardonnay, and 1 hectare with 2 red grape varieties: Pinot Noir and Poulsard. Trained as an oenologist, François Rousset Martin is committed to illustrating the parcel-by-parcel expression of the renowned terroirs around Château Chalon, and although his attraction to Savagnin is obvious, he vinifies the other grape varieties with just as much talent. The Côte du Jura Chardonnay Croix Sarrant has a delicate nose of pear, mirabelle plum and coriander, with hints of peat. On the palate, the wine is straightforward, taut and very energetic, with a saline finish and fine bitters. The Puits St Pierre cuvée is a Savagnin from an amphitheatre-shaped parcel of grey marl. This is a very elegant, fine wine, with fatness and volume, developing aromas of citron, walnut and crème caramel, evolving towards slightly rooty notes such as gentian and sage. With a long, racy finish of candied lemon and a sharp acidity, this wine can be enjoyed over the next 5 years. As for the red Jura wines, the Côte du Jura Pinot Noir cuvée 909 is made like the greatest Pinot Noirs from Burgundy. The name of this cuvée is a nod to Cuvée 910 from the Mâcon winemaker Julien Guillot. The Pinot Noir vines here are planted on clay-limestone soils, reminiscent of those found in Burgundy. The wine is flavoursome, greedy and delicately spicy, with aromas of small reds that unfold with finesse on the palate, and silky, very delicate tannins. The finish is long and sapid. The Côte du Jura Poulsard Les Vignasses has a fairly light garnet colour (5 weeks' maceration), with a very delicate nose of red fruit, strawberries and a floral touch. On the palate, the wine is very immediate, smooth and rather finesse-oriented, with a hint of herbs on the finish and good length. This delicious wine is a treat that's hard not to fall for. The wines of François Rousset Martin are the work of an artist, and deserve the attention of wine-lovers.
Other Jura estates include Jean François Ganevat, domaine du Pélican, Bénédicte et Stéphane Tissot, Frédéric Lornet and Jean Bourdy. Vins & Millésimes offers you the chance to buy the best bottles of wine and grands crus online. All our wines are in stock and available for fast delivery! Discover the bottles and Magnums of Francois Rousset Martin available for purchase.