NV Domaine de Montbourgeau Crémant du Jura Brut Zéro

DESCRIPTION

We love Champagne, but let’s face it, it’s simply too expensive to drink all the time. And so in our pursuit of less expensive sparkling alternatives, we get offered lots of Crémant bottlings but, frankly, most of them don’t make the grade. That is until we found this game changer: Domaine de Montbourgeau Crémant du Jura Brut Zero NV. This is a diamond in the rough!

         Montbourgeau’s vineyards were planted 100 years ago by Victor Gros. Today, his granddaughter, Nicole Deriaux guides the domaine with an artful eye and has done so since taking over from her father Jean Gros in 1986. The estate is located in the village of L’Etoile in the southwestern zone of the Jura. The domaine’s 9 hectares (approx. 22 acres) are devoted mostly to Chardonnay and the viticulture is organic and the vinification is strictly traditional respecting, in all aspects, the ancient practices of this region. Nicole Deriaux’s natural approach to every step of the process captures the true essence of the Etoile appellation.          So what makes this Crémant so special? It begins with Monbourgeau’s mineral driven soils that lend a precise structure supporting the rich, creamy mouthfeel of this 100% Chardonnay cuvée. But what really stopped us in our tracks was the complexity of the nose. Delicately intertwined notes of baked apple, citrus, nutmeg and a hint of dried mushroom. All that plays into a flavorful mid-palate with a racy, tingling of tiny pinpoint bubbles. A heroic apéritif wine immediately came to mind but after more consideration we imagined itslively acidity and bone-dry character would allow it to cut through rich, more fatty foods. That’s when the bell went off! Turkey Day with all the fixings? Yes, please, may I have some more? But don’t sleep on this one as our tiny stash will vanish overnight.