2010 Jacques Puffeney Pinot Noir Arbois Rouge

Jacques Puffeney's father was a vineyard worker who owned a mere speck of land in the village of Montigny Les Arsures (just around the corner from Arbois). Jacques made his first wine at the age of 17 but, to earn a living, worked simultaneously as a "saleur de Comte" helping to make the fabled cheese of his region. Little by little he acquired vineyards and now the domaine consists of 7 1/2 hectares, all in the appellation of Arbois. His prowess in both the vineyards and the cave has earned him the nickname among his colleagues of "the Pope of Arbois". The vineyards are situated in the villages of Montigny Les Arsures, Arbois, and Villette des Arbois. Most Americans have never been exposed to the joys of wines from the Jura. Do not be one of these poor masses! The harvest, which normally begins in late September, is done manually. It commences with the Chardonnay, then the Poulsard, followed by Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir undergoes at least a 3 week cuvaison. The wine is then racked into foudres (not new) where the malolactic fermentation takes place. The reds are aged at least two years and sometimes 30 months in barrel depending upon the structure of the vintage. 13.5% abv.