Cellier Saint Benoit Arbois Pupillin Viandris Ploussard 2022

Lying under the hilltop village of Pupillin in the north of the appellation, Viandris is home to this grower’s oldest Ploussard vines, which are now pushing 70 years old. Benjamin also farms Chardonnay near the top, where there is more Bajocian limestone. The Ploussard vines are rooted in deep grey marl from the middle Liassic period on a 20-30% gradient that Benjamin quips is steep by Burgundian standards yet quite mellow for the Jura! The natural springs running underneath the site result in humid soils, which, combined with the old vines and very low yields in 2022, bring a density to this wine’s flesh and tannins. Bottled from a single 600-litre barrel, for Benjamin, this wine always has the greatest mouthfeel along with a distinctive ferrous charm to the fruit.  At 13.5%, this is a potent wine in 2022 yet carries exceptional finesse, with a streak of blood orange and rosehip acidity to balance its smoky, wild berry charisma.