The word “ouillé” in the name of this wine means that the barrels were topped up with more of the same wine when the levels started to drop through natural evaporation, as is common with conventional white wines. It is to distinguish it from the ‘oxidative’ style of white wines that you find in the Jura, where the level is deliberately allowed to drop and a thin veil of yeast covers the surface, giving those wines their famous nutty, yeasty, salty flavours. We’re not brave enough for those wines, we prefer the “ouillé” style, which is so-called, because whenever people taste it and realise it’s not the oxidative style they say “Ooh yay!”.

Stéphane Tissot has produced a dazzling 2022, bristling with energy and intensity. Aromas of grapefruit peel, charred lime, preserved lemons and white flowers lead to a palate full of tang and verve. It’s a full-flavoured Savagnin, to be enjoyed with adventurous friends, bold dishes and/or strong local cheeses. 13.5% alc, Drink now-2032.

Press reviews:

The Wine Advocate: “I tasted again the bottled 2022 Savagnin Ouillé from Arbois, which I had already tasted with Stéphane Tissot. It was bottled last year, and I also tasted some unbottled components the year before. This time, he explained that the grapes had different origins, 60% of them from Lias marl and the remaining 40% from Trias marl, an the wine was vinified, aged and bottled without added sulfur, yet it's clean and precise. It shows contained ripeness for the character of the year and has 13.5% alcohol. It has a magnificent perfume and is varietal, showcasing notes of yellow fruit and some iodine, with hints of smoke. It reveals a round, tasty palate, with a slightly dry finish. Drink now-2032.” 94+ points

The Wine Advocate: “The bottled ouillé 2022 Savagnin from Arbois, of which I had tasted some components the previous year, contains wine mostly from Trias clay soils, vinified, aged and bottled without added sulphur. It's ripe without excess, quite fresh and balanced for the year, coming in at 13.5% alcohol and displaying a yellow, almost fluorescent colour. It's open and expressive and reveals varietal notes, mixing citrus, yellow fruit and some herbal notes and a hint of white pepper. Drink now-2032.” 94 points

Vinous: “The barrel sample of the topped-up 2022 Arbois Savagnin evokes fragrant lemon peel, yellow apple and dried blossom. Focused and tight on the medium-bodied palate, the 2022 strikes a remarkable balance between flavour concentration and zesty acidity. Drink now-2032.” (91-93) points