2022 Cellier Saint Benoit Arbois Pupillin Chambines Savagnin Naturé

Wedged between the lieux-dits of La Rouge and Les Charots on red marl soils, Les Chambines is one of three different Savagnins farmed by the domaine. The steep slope, planted in the mid-1980s, reaches 40 degrees in some places, meaning this vineyard must be ploughed by horse (there is also a fault bisecting the vineyard, which the small Caterpillar cannot cross). The Savagnin of Les Chambines is usually selected for the Vin Jaune, but in 2022, Benjamin was so happy with the fruit that he selected two barrels to age in the ouillé (topped-up) style. Benjamin presses his Savagnin long and slow directly into his oldest barrels, where the wine ferments without any additions until the malolactic fermentation has finished. He loves the style of his 2022 Savagnin wines, which he notes have beautiful aromas of confit citrus and mouthwatering ripe acidity. Of the two wines we have shipped, Les Chambines is the fruiter version, with fleshy Anjou pear fruit offset by green herbs and peppery spice.