Arbois-Pupillin Chardonnay le Grapiot 2020 Wine Review

Arbois-Pupillin Chardonnay le Grapiot 2020

 

Yuzu and grapefruit peel, with a savory hint reminiscent of seasoning salt.  

 

It feels like sprinkling white pepper over candied kumquat.  

 

As the aroma unfolds slowly, a faint scent of deeply brewed barley tea emerges.  

Acidity: ●●●●○  
Sweetness: ○○○○○  
Body: ●●○○○  

First sip — Wow.  

 

A thrilling acidity with an exceptionally smooth texture, yet saline at the same time.  

 

Sharp and crystalline, leaving a clean, striking impression.  

 

As it sits in the glass, notes of pear, lily, and a touch of cold metal appear.  

 

Once accustomed to the piercing acidity, it actually lifts the tension, giving the wine a lean and precise character.  

 

The finish recalls roasted sunflower seeds, nutty and warm.  

 

After 1.5 hours—  

Cream bun, brioche, and a hint of whey.  

 

The aftertaste brings to mind ginseng tea.  

 

Granite, flint, and the toasty nuance you get after sipping high-acid coffee.  

 

Arbois-Pupillin Chardonnay le Grapiot 2020  

Producer: Domaine Désiré Petit  
Region: France > Jura > Arbois > Pupillin  
Variety: Chardonnay  
ABV: 13.8%  

 

Le Grapiot is a single vineyard located in the village of Arbois-Pupillin in the Jura region of eastern France.  
The Chardonnay vines are over 50 years old and rooted in gray marl soil.  

This mountainous area, near the Swiss border at altitudes of 250 - 500 meters, experiences large diurnal temperature swings, short summers, and cold winters—conditions that shape wines with vivid acidity and strong minerality.  

The Jura’s layered soils of limestone, clay, and marl create wines noted for their vibrancy and depth of minerality. Among them, Arbois-Pupillin is distinguished by its gray marl and claybased soils, producing white wines of both tension and structure.  

Domaine Désiré Petit, founded in 1932, is a family-run estate now managed by the third generation—Damien and Anne-Laure Petit.  

 

They combine traditional Jura methods with a natural leaning philosophy and modern precision, making them known for their pure, understated style.  

 

Le Grapiot Chardonnay is made from hand harvested grapes fermented with indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention.  

 

It matures in large demi-muid oak barrels, with little to no filtration or fining.  

 

Sulfur use is minimal, and the wine is bottled with low interference.  

 

Aged in the ouillé style—where barrels are kept topped up to avoid oxidation this wine expresses the freshness and purity of the fruit rather than oxidative notes.