Domaine du Pelican 'En Barbi' Chardonnay, Arbois, Jura, France 2022

Domaine du Pélican has been farming this En Barbi parcel since 2012 with particular interest. The soil in the parcel of “En Barbi” is Jurassic marl, so rich in limestone that it appears white. Francois Duvivier believes that the presence of such a large amount of marl in the soil contributes to wines with more minerality, volume, and length than a “classic” soil of clay and limestone. He describes the balance between the soil type (marl) and the exposure (south) being the main factors behind “En Barbi”'s uniqueness as a plot.

• Winemaker: François Duvivier
  
• Variety: Chardonnay
• Farming: Biodynamic
• Terroir: It is a south-facing plot, sheltered from the winds due to its location at the end of an amphitheater of hills around it. Its southerly exposure accounts for its early and complete maturation at harvest. The soil is silty clay over grey marls, resulting in excellent drainage and low risk of hydric stress. En Barbi was replanted by the previous farmer and the vines are now approximately 15 years old. The total size of the En Barbi parcel is 1.8 hectare but only 1ha of it is Chardonnay - the rest is Savagnin, Trousseau, and some Poulsard.
• Vinification: Their altitude is the highest of the estate - close to 400m in elevation. After harvest, the grapes are lightly crushed and then immediately pressed. Fermentation takes place in barrels and foudres. Aging is in 350L and 500L barrels (of which 5% are new ) for about 30% of the crop. The balance is in foudre and vats.
• Aging: The wine is aged in 350L and 500L barrels (50% of total); 30% in foudre (large oak cask) and 20% in vats.