This was one of those “wow” wine experiences.
2020 Francois Rousset-Martin ‘Cuvee du Professeur’ Savagnin
Jura, France
100% Savagnin from the legendary marl soils of Château-Chalon, vinified ouillé (topped-up in the Burgundy style). It’s incredibly fresh, yet shows just a touch of sherry-like oxidative character.
The nose is wild and expressive, think stinky cheese, cola, brioche, lemon curd, apricot, and a hint of reduction. On the palate, it’s electric: high-acid, taut, and layered with ripe tropical fruit, sweet almond, stone fruit, and that subtle oxidative edge that just enhances the whole package.
Now I understand why this wine has such a cult following. Totally captivating.
by Frisbeehead
7 Comments
Jura supremacy
Nice. I’ve yet to have FRM but have a bottle of Savagnin Vigne aux Dames laying around which I believe is another topped up savagnin.
I loved these wines as well as his Pinot Noir’s, I have experienced some wild bottle variation though with one bottle actually refermenting in bottle and gushing. When they’re on though, they’re really on!
According to [this trip report](https://www.robertparker.com/articles/YWagu7ncWdXAxRb4T/france-jura-better-and-more-dynamic-than-ever), this cuvée is named after his father’s vineyards (‘the teacher’) in Sous Roche of Château Chalon fame. He is keeping a small volume of the 2019 yield to age ouillé for the better part of decade, in the style of Les Vignes de Mon Père!
Finest ouillé Savagnin I’ve ever had. The way FRM uses VA in his wines is so spectacular.
I always get a lot of curry spices from this particular wine. Did they show up for you as well?
Absolutely love how you captured the dual personality of Jura Savagnin here, zippy freshness *and* that gentle oxidative whisper. The stinky-cheese + cola + lemon-curd combo has my palate doing backflips just reading it
This was the third best wine I had last year only behind ‘01 Yquem and ‘02 Krug. That’s how good this is.