Domaine Ligier Trousseau, Arbois, Jura, France 2023

Domaine Ligier, a family-run estate in Arbois, Jura, has been cultivating vines for generations, producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Their Trousseau is a testament to the traditional winemaking practices and the distinct character of Jura's indigenous grape varieties.

• WINEMAKER: Hervé Ligier

• FARMING: Practicing Sustainable

• VARIETY: 100% Trousseau

• TERROIR: Vineyards situated on warm gravelly soils and shallow marls in the northern part of the Revermont, benefiting from good sun exposure.

• VINIFICATION: Grapes are hand-harvested, followed by a fermentation period of 12 to 15 days in vats, depending on the vintage.

• AGING: Aged in vats for 10 to 12 months to preserve the wine's freshness and fruit character.

• TASTING NOTES: Aromas of red and black fruits, including strawberry, morello cherry, blackcurrant, and blackberry. The palate is round and solid, with persistent fruit flavors and fine tannins on the finish.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Pairs well with red meats, roasted game, characterful fish dishes, duck, and a variety of cheeses.

• SCORES: 86/100 – Wine-Searcher (2023)

From Our 2025 Bottle Cult Notes:

I chose this wine for June, a transitional month where spring truly becomes summer. As the weather warms up, we often think of reaching for white or rosé, but light reds like Trousseau from the Jura are ideal for early summer.

The Jura region sits along the eastern edge of France near the Swiss border, with vineyards spread across limestone and marl soils dating back to the Jurassic period. Arbois is the beating heart of the region, and although it lies just east of Burgundy, Jura feels like a world apart. It is cooler, greener, and deeply rooted in rustic tradition, with small vineyards patchworked across hillside slopes.

Trousseau is one of Jura’s native red grapes, offering more pigment and structure than Poulsard and more spice and dark berry fruit than Pinot Noir. Genetically, it belongs to the Savagnin family, alongside Grüner Veltliner and Chenin Blanc, and has a quiet but
steady role in Jura’s winemaking history. Though historically a supporting grape, Trousseau has found new energy in recent years, being bottled on its own, or even thriving in cool sites in California and Oregon, where producers value its transparency and texture.

Domaine Ligier farms ten hectares of vines, matching each variety to the perfect soil type and a dedication to minimal intervention. This Trousseau is fermented in stainless steel with 12 to 15 days of maceration and then aged in vat for 10 to 12 months. There is no oak, just clean fruit and expression of the terroir.

This vintage is lifted and savory, with notes of strawberry, morello cherry, blackberry, and blackcurrant leaf. The tannins are fine, the fruit persistent, and the finished mineral, fresh, and a little savory. It is a light red that drinks easily at cellar temperature
but still carries the complexity to stand up to grilled chicken, fish tacos, or anything smoky off the grill. It’s a perfect early summer red! —Cara Patricia, DECANT Co-Founder