Les Chassagnes 2018

Les Chassagnes 2018 is a natural wine crafted by Tony Bornard, in the Jura region in France. This very special white wine is made with 100% Savagnin grapes, named after the prestigious Chassanges plot in Pupillin. It is pressed as whole clusters, fermented in tanks then brought to a 2400 litre barrel for SIX YEARS of barrel aging (!) on the full lees, topped up in Ouillè style. Bottled on August 2024 and aged for a further year in bottle at the domain before release ! No added sulphites, as with all Tony Bornard wines

This 2018 of Les Chassagnes as a special release absolutely rocks! But as first can be a little shy on the nose, so pour into a carafe and give it a shake.  When it finds itself, it transforms into a butterfly BURSTING with vibrant acidity (like seriously wow acidity!) and a powerful attitude on the nose. On the palate, expect huge bursts of lemon meringue pie, grapefruit zest, lime and white pepper, with a surprisingy creamy finish for a Savagnin, almost lactic in some way. 

This is probaby the best Ouillè wine we have had from Tony Bornard, and it really wows. Another one that is amazing is his Les Marnes 2018, which is oxidative and delivers an epic contrast to this but so so good as well. 

TONY BORNARD DOCUMENTARY

One of our first documentaries many years ago was with Tony Bornard, at a time when he had just build his new winery in Pupillin, and literally in the process of moving barrels in from the old cellar of Philippe Bornard into the new place up the road. This process of change was an important period for Tony Bornard and he opens up about this and the emotional aspects related to it.