Domaine Sylvain Faudot Trousseau “Tour Canoz” 2018

Sylvain Faudot was born into a family deeply rooted in the Jura wine region of Eastern France. This passion for wine and winemaking was passed on to him as a young man. He began his career working with the famous Arbois Domaine, Henri Maire. In 1998, he was able to acquire two geographically well exposed vineyards and created his own Domaine located in the small Northern Jura town of St Cyr-Montmalin. He has a total of 15 acres planted on the typical local “terroir” called “marnes argileuses” which gives it its true character of the Jura. Viticulture is one of Sylvain’s strengths. His approach and belief to farming is sustainable, respect of the soil and terroir, plowing each row in order to create balance and harmony with weeds, plants and flowers that grow nearby, and rigorous pruning. Sylvain Faudot has become highly regarded and respected by his piers for making exceptional wines that are truly characteristic of Arbois and the Jura. His wish is that there is the same pleasure to taste his wines, as he feels to produce them.

Appellation: Arbois

Age of Vineyards: Average 40 years

Grape Varietals: 100% Trousseau Tour Canoz, the predominant red grape of Jura; it is also grown in Portugal where it’s known as Bastardo and is used to make fortified wines like Port and Madeira.

Terroir: Marnes argileuses, which is very old soil made up of Triassic clay with lots of marl in various colors, located on small hills that were created when the Alps pressed against the Jura Mountains pushing the ancient soils close to the surface.

Vinification: Lutte raisonnée, organic fertilizer, rigorous pruning, hand harvested, destemming, traditional vinification with a 15 day period of maceration/fermentation “en cuve”. The wine is then aged for 12 months in big neutral oak called “foudre” to allow the spicy and peppery Trousseau character to develop. It is considered fully ripe while at a lower sugar level, which makes a lower alcohol, acid driven wine.

Tasting notes: Ruby red with a nose of violet, fresh pepper and red fruits flavors. The palate is bursting with spices, black pepper and dark berries. This wine shows complexity, quality fruit, well balanced acid and elegance at the same time. It’s very food friendly! Enjoy with many types of dishes such as grilled meat, pasta dishes, roasted chicken, pork loin, and it holds its own beautifully with spicier dishes like Indian cuisine.