Domaine de la Borde

Julien Mareschal from Domaine de la Borde is a Jura native who comes from a line of cereal farmers. He initially intended to join the family business but switched his agricultural education midstream and gained his winemaking diploma in Dijon. After stages in Burgundy and Bordeaux, he returned home to set up shop at the young age of 23. Julien bought his first vineyard in one of the region’s hippest enclaves, Pupillin. Surrounded by some of the top names in the region (think: Overnoy, Bruyere & Houillon), Julien drew inspiration from their quality and ethos, converting the vines to biodynamic farming and giving his five hectares of old vines new life.

For his Savagnin Nature, Julien chose a topped-up style. The grapes are partially destemmed and naturally fermented in large oak, up to 1,500 liters. The wine sits on the lees for about 20 months – this long elevage keeps the wine stable with minimal sulfur. Tightly wound, this wine offers classic notes of wild green apple and citrus, along with white spice and some florality and sea spray. With vibrant acids and minerality, good texture and long length, it finishes dry with a hint of grip.

Julien's Vin Jaune is aged for 82 months in his infamously cold and humid cellar, which results in a glacial evolution and brings a deep layer of complexity to the flor. This is one of the finest examples of Vin Jaune being produced today and should not be missed.

What makes Domaine de la Borde's wines special is their dedication to biodynamic farming and natural winemaking techniques. Julien Mareschal works on his estate to produce wines that are pure expressions of the terroir and the grapes he grows. His Savagnin Nature and Vin Jaune are both excellent examples of his skill as a winemaker and his commitment to producing high-quality wines that are both delicious and unique.