Domaine Ratapoil Jura

To many, Ratapoil will need no introduction; Raphaël Monnier’s wines are some of the most iconic of the region. His interest in began some 20 years ago, first by working on a few small negociant projects with good friend Jean Baptiste Menigoz of Domaine Bottes Rouges. It was later in 2009 that he started Domaine Ratapoil while still a full-time history teacher, a career he has recently given up, to put all his efforts into winemaking.

2018 is the first year out of many that Raphaël has in fact experienced near to a full harvest, previous vintages being the victim of frost and hail. That said, we are at the back of a long queue for his wines, so unfortunately quantities are extremely limited.

Avis de Tempête By way of ensuring he does not fall foul of the variable each year, Raphaël has created a new negociant line of wines with his protégé Marie Bourdon. Often sourcing the from friends, and from different regions year-on-year, this exciting range of one-off cuvees often includes experimental processes — pet nats, longer macerations and varieties not usually seen in the hills of Jura.

Domaine Ratapoil Jura

Agape – (2018) 100% Savagnin planted on grey marl in the Corvées vineyard. The grapes were directly pressed into old oak barrels where the wine fermented and aged for 18 months before bottling. Barrels were kept topped up to prevent oxidation. Certainly, one of our favourite wines from Raphael, salty and always a profound acidity driving the wine, but in a warm vintage like 2018 we see a richness and openness that normally only reveals itself after a number of years.

Par Ici – Poulsard (2018) 100% Poulsard from a 50-year-old plot of vines planted on black marl just outside Arbois. Grapes were destemmed by hand and left to macerate for 3 weeks before being pressed off to tank for an 18-month élevage. One of the prettier renditions of the grape we have tasted recently with plenty of little red fruits on the palate and a fresh lick of acidity.

L’Ingénu – Pinot Noir (2018) Although from the same parcel as Catherine Hannoun’s Cuvée Clémence, this is a completely different expression. Similarly, elevage is in stainless steel, the result is contrastingly quite structured when compared to Catherine’s elegant soif style. It’s tasting fantastic now, but equally some time in cellar should reward those with patience.

Les Corvées – Trousseau/Poulsard (2018) From the famed Corvées vineyard in Arbois - 90% Trousseau and 10% Poulsard grown on a mixture of limestone and grey marl. The grapes were destemmed by hand and left to macerate for 15 days before being racked off to tank for a year. Wild, intense and with an amazing mineral backbone - this will reward the more patient if cellared for a few years.

Avis de Tempête / No.5 – Syrah (2018) 100% Syrah purchased from friends in the Luberon. Full of garrigue, pepper and spice, but kept exceptionally fresh by the Jura winemakers, this is a very versatile bottle for the table and an exceptional everyday wine.