2009 Jacques Tissot, Pinot Noir, Cotes du Jura, France.
There are a lot of Tissot’s to go though in the Jura region of France (it’s a big local family), and as I make my way through them, I find myself liking the Jura region more and more, especially when you come across a lovable Pinot Noir as this Jacques Tissot which gives pretty details and unique terroir character. The Jacques Tissot offers very nice quality for the price throughout the lineup, imported by Diva France and Vintage Wine Marketing here in California, who were nice enough to sample some of the current offerings, two of which really stood out, the Jacques Tissot Chardonnay Les Corvees Sous Curon Arbois 2011 a non-oxidative fresh style mineral intense wine of style and substance, and this delicate medium light Cotes du Jura Pinot 2009. The 2009 Tissot Pinot Noir, grown on red marl (limestone) soils and made in a traditional way with neutral cask and modest (low) alcohol, starts with it’s shiny ruby hue in the glass, this wine is very transparent and fine with a perfume of rose petals, flinty/pepper spice, crushed stones and wild herbs along with red fruits leading to a palate of the same, but with a classic sense of red cherry, plum and strawberry fruits as well as earth, shale and dried currant wrapped up with faint cedar, tea notes and baking spices. The finish is round and soft with lingering red berry and refined tannins that seem to melt away into the ether, though there is enough basic structure to hold on another 5 to 7 years in bottle, there seems no better time than now to enjoy this one. This would be a great alternative to cheap and iffy Bourgogne Rouge as it drinks very nicely and priced very well, best from 2015 to 2020.
($25 Es.) 91 Points, grapelive
