Domaine Ratte Trousseau Les Corvées Bio 2023

Domaine Ratte Trousseau Les Corvées Bio 2023 is a vivid expression of Jura’s beloved red grape, crafted from one of Arbois’ finest vineyard sites. This cuvée showcases the rare Trousseau à la Dame, an old, low-yielding clone that concentrates the essence of its terroir into a few, intensely aromatic berries. Certified organic and made with minimal intervention, it’s a pure, characterful red that speaks clearly of place and tradition.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Les Corvées 2023 presents a bright, translucent ruby hue with a slight garnet edge, typical of Trousseau from high-quality parcels. The nose is lifted and precise, offering wild red berries, raspberry and cranberry, alongside notes of red cherry, rose petals, crushed violets and a delicate spice profile—think white pepper, gentle clove and a hint of dried herbs and underbrush. On the palate, the wine is supple yet energetic, with juicy red fruits, pomegranate and sour cherry framed by fine, silky tannins. The carbonic maceration brings a sense of brightness and crunch, while the partial aging in new oak adds a subtle polish and a whisper of sweet spice without overwhelming the fruit. Acidity is fresh and well-judged, giving the wine a mouthwatering, persistent finish with touches of mineral and savory nuance. Enjoyable now for its vibrancy and perfume, it has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 5–8 years, developing more earthy and tertiary complexity.

Production
Les Corvées is a top-tier single vineyard in Arbois, perched around 350 meters above sea level on classic Jura soils, where limestone and clay contribute to both elegance and tension in the wine. Domaine Ratte farms the parcel organically, focusing on the almost-forgotten Trousseau à la Dame clone, deliberately embracing its naturally low yields to concentrate flavor and reflect the terroir in every bunch. Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested with strict selection in the vineyard, then fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. The fermentation begins as a macération carbonique—whole, intact berries fermenting in an oxygen-deprived environment—to preserve aromatics and finesse in the tannins, before the must is gently pressed and fermentation completed. To refine texture and structure, a portion of the wine is matured in new oak barrels, used judiciously so that the wood supports rather than dominates the character of the Trousseau.

Food & Serving
This Trousseau is a versatile food wine, beautifully suited to charcuterie, pâtés, and rustic terrines, as well as roast chicken, duck, pork loin and mildly gamey dishes such as guinea fowl. It also pairs wonderfully with mushroom-based plates, lentil stews and local cheeses like Comté or Tomme, where its bright acidity and fine tannins cut through richness. Serve slightly chilled at around 14–16 °C to highlight its aromatic precision and freshness. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes can help the wine open up its floral and spicy nuances, especially in its youth.

Producer
Domaine Ratte is a small, quality-focused family estate based in Arbois, at the heart of France’s Jura region, an area long cherished by insiders for its distinctive wines and rediscovered in recent years by wine enthusiasts worldwide. The domaine has earned a reputation for championing local grape varieties and old clones—such as Trousseau à la Dame—while farming organically and working with low yields to achieve depth and authenticity. With a philosophy rooted in respect for terroir and minimal intervention in the cellar, Domaine Ratte has become a notable name in the region’s new wave of producers, contributing to Jura’s growing prestige on the international stage.