Friday, August 08, 2008

2005 Stephane Tissot "En Barberon"

Earlier this year Edward unveiled the "Wine Drinker's Dilemma", a simple sketch highlighting the oenophile's frustration that we will never, ever, have the chance to taste as many of the world's wines as we would like. But rather than despair, this simple sketch has inspired me to continuously experiment with new grapes and appellations...

The 2005 Stephane Tissot "En Barberon" is a Pinot Noir from the Côtes de Jura appellation in France, and was my first Jura red. A nose of peppery sausage, vanilla, dark berry fruit, cedar and floral notes. Crisp and spicy on the palate, with green woodsy tannins and a chalky/minerally texture. A lengthy finish with great acidity and tannins, this Jura seems to have a few years of aging in it. Perhaps a touch heavy on the oak, but I loved the way it framed the crisp fruit. Reminiscent of a nice Burgundy red, a terrific pinot effort at this price point (if you could find it).
cork. 13% alcohol
Score: 17.5/20
Price: C$30.75 (SAQ)

PS - Last year I enjoyed my first Jura wine, a Stephane Tissot chardonnay from the Arbois in Jura - another success from this winemaker.

2 comments:

David McDuff said...

Joe,
If you enjoyed the Tissot, be on the look out for the Jura Pinot Noir of Jacques Puffeney. A really, really fine alternative to Burgundy. Retails for around $25US here on the East Coast. '05 is the current release but the '04 may still be available in some markets.

Joe said...

I knew I could count on you not only to know the wine and region, but also to come up with an alternative! A pinot for Arbois, that would be new. Puffeney not available here, but we do have some Domaine de Montfort and Domaine Rolet (both from Arbois) - ever had those?