Domaine La Patelle
Jura - Arbois
Domaine La Patelle on the outskirts of Arbois is run by former cooper Pascal Thereau. As well as making barrels for many years, he also worked for Jura legend Stephane Tissot. In 2021 he had the opportunity to set up his own project La Patelle on the site of previous owners, Domaine des Bodines. The 5-6 hectares of vineyards have been farmed biodynamically for many years whilst in the care of Alexis and Emilie (of Bodines), Pascal continues their amazing work tending to parcels of Chardonnay and Savagnin on limestone and Pinot, Poulsard and Trousseau on the classic Jura clay marl soils.
In the winery, you might be expecting only barrels (being a former cooper), however Pascal makes use of a wide range of vessels including stainless steel, amphorae, foudres, barriques, fiberglass, and even diamond shaped concrete! The style of Domaine La Patelle reminded us of some of the wines Philippe Bornard used to make, textural, open styles of white Jura with a kiss of reduction. The reds have a dark element to them, they are juicy but savoury and have smoky leafy undertones, perhaps like the reds of Etienne Thiebaud of Cavarodes.
Pascals most recognisable vineyard has to be the Tourillons, which overlooks Arbois. The vineyard contains Savagnin and Chardonnay and is rich in limestone, (made famous by the wines of Renaud Bryuyère and Adeline Houillon). There is what looks like a bandstand off to the side of the vines that local winemakers use to shelter from the elements, this is known locally as 'Le Kiosque' and you'll find a picture of this on all of Pascals bottles and one of the wines is named after it.
The 'Kiosque' in the Tourillons vineyard in Arbois
Wines
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