Château de Javernand

Chiroubles & Macon Village

Magical. That’s the first thought that came to our mind as we drove for the past the gates of the Chateau de Javernand. Chateau Javernand is a little out of the town of Chiroubles off the beaten path. Its easy to drive by it sometimes without even noticing it. Besides the property that surrounds the estate, they also have vineyards in Macon (way north of here where Chardonnay grows really well). Standing outside the cellar, one gets a grand view of the slopes of Chiroubles. Standing by the stone wall that borders the 18th century house, one could not help but feel a sense of serenity, beauty and magic here.

Arthur Fourneau and Pierre Prost, both sons of winemakers actually met in engineering school in Lyon. The two became fast friends. Arthur’s great grand father was a wine merchant who visited this property and felt the same magic and serenity that peremeates this place today. In 1917, he bought the estate and the house and surroundings

Arthur, after his studies, returned to Javernand to help his father on the estate.

Pierre who worked as a consultant for a few years, happened to meet Arthur’s cousin Mathilde Penicaud. Mathilde ,an artist in her own right is a renowned sculptor. She has a gallery in New York on 21^st Street and her pieces are also found spread around the property of Javernand. Eventually, Mathilde and Pierre, decided to settle in Javernand and assist Arthur on the estate.

Pierre states that “…our project is more than an agricultural one; we obviously aim at cultivating the land and making the most pleasant wines as possible, we are willing to do it with the minimum impact on nature and human health…”

There is a sense of camaraderie and an effort to make this a “..well balanced life project”. If this does not reflect what growing grapes and wine making is supposed to be, then what does?

Now the wines.

The Les Gatilles is a good example of Chiroubles- well structured wines which are delicate, fruity but at the same time incredibly floral and the granite on which these vines grow, shows well in this wine. This is an easy drinking wine and matches well with roast chicken, pizza etc.

The Vielle Vignes cuvee is strong tannic wine with all the structure and fruit to hold up to a fine steak. Grown at high altitudes, the grapes come from select parcels of old vines. This wine shows amazing jammy fruit and depth of flavor. I also can imagine this food with strongly aromatic foods (Indian, Greek, Persian, Arabic). Good stuff.

If you are looking for an incredible value in Burgundian white, the Macon-Villages is a bright, tasty Chardonnay. Sourced from the property of Jacques Proust from the town of Serrieres in Macon, this is a lovely expression of an affordable Burgundy. Full of aromas of pears and white flowers and minerality this is a bright, delicious Chardonnay

Magic, beauty and serenity. Javernand.