2011 Bénédicte et Stéphane Tissot Château-Chalon

A characterful vin jaune with precision, power and impressive freshness.

Bénédicte et Stéphane Tissot and their leading role in the Jura

Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot are among the Jura's most influential winemakers. The estate has been operating organically and biodynamically for years and is known for its meticulous vineyard management, focus on terroir, and an approach that prioritizes authenticity. Stéphane took over the family business in the late 1990s and expanded it with plots spread across Arbois, La Mailloche, Les Bruyères, and several other iconic terroirs within the region.

The Jura is a historic wine region where age-old traditions blend with modern insights. The wines owe their character to chalky soils, steep slopes, and a continental climate with cool nights and warm summers. Within this region, Château-Chalon is one of the most prestigious appellations. Here, only Savagnin vin jaune is made, with long aging in old barrels, creating a unique, oxidative style.

The terroir of Château-Chalon and the power of Savagnin

Château-Chalon is situated on a series of ridges with deep blue marl soils. This soil structure retains water and gives Savagnin minerality, tension, and delayed ripening. The vineyards benefit from optimal exposure and a microclimate that promotes aromatic intensity and vibrant acidity.

The Jura's climate creates striking contrasts. Harsh winters and sunny summers create a slow ripening process perfect for Savagnin. In 2011, this resulted in healthy, aromatic grapes with just the right acidity for extended barrel aging. Tissot's 2011 Château-Chalon is among the most expressive wines from this vintage.

Savagnin and the traditional vin jaune style of Tissot

Savagnin forms the foundation of Château-Chalon and, thanks to its high acidity and strong structure, is perfectly suited for long aging. For this style, the wine is aged in old oak barrels after fermentation, but not completely filled. This creates a veil, a natural layer of yeast that protects the wine while simultaneously developing complex aromas.

At this estate, Tissot has been working with parcel-produced vin jaunes since 2003 and is known as one of the most important innovators in this traditional category.

Savagnin from the Jura region boasts exceptional aging potential thanks to the combination of the grape's natural characteristics, the cool climate, and traditional winemaking methods. The grape consistently maintains high acidity, which acts as a powerful preservative, keeping the wine fresh and stable for years. In the Jura, Savagnin is often aged under a veil in barrels that are not refilled, creating a unique oxidative style with highly chemically stable aromas. The long aging in oak, sometimes exceeding ten years, imparts concentration, complexity, and a structure that evolves slowly and beautifully. Thanks to the Jura's cool climate and chalky soils, the grapes develop slowly, with considerable tension and aromatic intensity. This ensures that Savagnin and wines like Château-Chalon or Vin Jaune retain their vitality for decades, only becoming more impressive with age.

Harvest, fermentation and long-term maturation of the 2011 Château-Chalon

The grapes for this wine were harvested by hand to ensure maximum purity. Fermentation took place with natural yeasts and proceeded smoothly. This was followed by the exceptionally long aging process that gives this wine its distinctive character. For twelve years, the wine remained in old wooden barrels without refilling. The veil developed slowly, forming the foundation for the aromatic layers.

This long maturation not only gives the wine its remarkable complexity but also creates the tension that characterizes the Tissot style. The combination of intense Savagnin, acid structure, and barrel aging results in a wine that remains fresh, precise, and powerful. The 2011 is now over 15 years old. Wine is a natural product, so it's always interesting to see how an older bottle has developed. Sometimes it still shows a lively tension, sometimes more aging notes. Both can be beautiful.

Color, aroma and taste of the 2011 Château-Chalon

After some airing, the wine truly comes alive. The color is deep gold with warm reflections. The aroma reveals notes of dried fennel, fresh walnuts, bread crust, and subtle salty nuances. The long barrel aging imparts an aromatic richness that is instantly recognizable as characteristic of the style.

On the palate, the wine displays a racy structure driven by sharp, clean Savagnin acidity. Its precision and energy are striking. The palate is layered and taut, with tension and a clean, lingering finish in which a subtle hint of saltiness remains. The style is precise, focused, and ranks among the most impressive interpretations within Château-Chalon. This wine received a 97-point rating and has a drinking window of 2027 to 2061.

Would you like to order wines from Bénédicte et Stéphane Tissot online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings for the 2011 Château-Chalon

Coq au vin jaune with morels
The creamy sauce and earthy morels complement the nutty and spicy notes of the wine perfectly.

Veal sucade with sage and cream sauce
The tender flesh and subtle spiciness complement the Savagnin's tight structure and length.

Comté from 24 to 30 months
The salty, ripe and nutty notes of the cheese enhance the rich aromatic layers of the wine.

Cod with beurre blanc and lemon
The creamy sauce and fresh citrus aromas pair beautifully with the wine's vibrant acidity.

Roasted celeriac with hazelnut and beurre noisette
The soft sweetness and roasted notes complement the complex aromas created by the long barrel maturation.