2014 Benedicte & Stephane Tissot, DD, Cotes du Jura Red, France.
A new wine from Tissot, a red cuvee made up of Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot Noir, all are vinified on their own and then blended after elevage with the Poulsard getting extra skin contact and raised in amphora while the Pinot and Trousseau get more traditional treatment. This fresh natural wine with very low sulfur has a lovely light red color with ruby hues and drinks with a nice vibrant energy with a mix of red fruits, plenty of tangy sweet and sour along with a play of spice and earth, it shows youthful acidity as well as satiny textures. These light Jura reds surprising age fantastically well and their low alcohol savory style is all the rage and though some can be quite weird and wacky, this Tissot is lovely and full of flavor. While Jura purists or freaks will want to age this between 5 and 10 years to allow the Poulsard to fully develop, and I can see why, it still is fun and easy to love now, so you may want to buy a few bottles to hide away and a few more to enjoy earlier, I completely support that choice. The nose is lightly fruity with a hint of blue fruit, rose oil, a touch of herb and earth leading to a medium weight palate with wild plum, tart cherry, juicy peach, a touch of marmalade as well as forest floor, salty stones, traces of pipe tobacco and pepper. The Pinot adds body and a silky frame in this really good Jura red, this is well crafted and seriously entertaining with some interesting rewards and funky promise for the future while pleasing in the present. A nice mineral laced finish with lingering red currant, Asian spices, sugar beet and anise make for a fine ending in this Tissot, drink from 2016 to 2026.
($32 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive
