⏱ 1 min read
The Short Version
With only 282 bottles in existence, Fimbel and Houillon’s Savagnin Viaduc 2021 is a raw, unfiltered powerhouse that trades restraint for sheer intensity. Expect an electric collision of gunpowder and grilled pineapple, driven by a bracing acidity and a dense, salty finish.
In This Article
Consider this your morning briefing: rare, intense, and unapologetically raw, the first commercial vintage from Eric Fimbel and Lydia Houillon is a revelation. Their Savagnin Viaduc 2021 defies the typical restraint often found in Jura whites, opting instead for a profile defined by sheer power. Grown on grey marl and schist, these grapes underwent a traditional process involving an old mechanical press and three years of aging in small tonneau.
It is as if it's the perfect recipe: fresh acidity, but also fully ripe fruit.
Intensity Without Additives
What makes this tiny production—a mere 282 bottles—so striking is its complete lack of intervention. There are no added sulphurs, no fining, and no filtration to soften its edges. The result is a wine that feels alive and perhaps even slightly dangerous. It carries heavy reductive notes of sesame and gunpowder, which serve as a bracing prelude to a fruit profile of grilled pineapple, peach iced tea, and preserved lemon. It is as if it’s the perfect recipe: fresh acidity, but also fully ripe fruit.
A Study in Structural Tension
The structural backbone of the Viaduc is nothing short of electric. Because the 2021 growing season was notably cool, the harvest took place early on October 5th, preserving a nerve that most ripe wines lose. This manifests as a painfully high acidity that commands immediate physical attention. Rather than feeling thin, the wine maintains a dense, honeyed texture with hints of pollen and white flowers, all anchored by a distinctively salty finish. This isn’t just a drink; it is a concentrated expression of site and soul that marks a massive entrance for these producers. Does your palate prefer the clean precision of Jura whites or do you lean toward this kind of high-intensity, unfiltered character?
Questions & Answers
What are the tasting notes for Eric Fimbel and Lydia Houillon's Savagnin Viaduc 2021?
The Savagnin Viaduc 2021 features a profile defined by intense reductive notes of sesame and gunpowder. These bold aromas lead into a fruit-forward palate consisting of grilled pineapple, peach iced tea, and preserved lemon. Despite its heavy character, the wine maintains fresh acidity and a dense, honeyed texture. You can also detect delicate hints of pollen and white flowers throughout the tasting experience, all of which are anchored by a distinctively salty finish that highlights the wine's unique structural tension.
How is the Savagnin Viaduc 2021 produced by Eric Fimbel and Lydia Houillon?
The production process for this Savagnin involves traditional methods using an old mechanical press and three years of aging in small tonneau. The grapes are grown on a specific terroir consisting of grey marl and schist to develop their intense character. This tiny production is notable for its complete lack of intervention, meaning no sulphurs, fining, or filtration are used. By avoiding these common additives, the producers allow the wine to retain an unfiltered, raw, and highly concentrated expression of the site.
Why does the Savagnin Viaduc 2021 have such high acidity?
The exceptionally high acidity in the Savagnin Viaduc 2021 is a direct result of the cool growing conditions experienced during the 2021 season. Because of this cooler weather, the harvest was conducted early on October 5th to preserve the wine's natural nerve and brightness. This early picking ensures that while the fruit reaches a state of full ripeness, the wine maintains an electric structural backbone. This tension prevents the high acidity from feeling thin, instead supporting a dense and honeyed mouthfeel.
What makes the Savagnin Viaduc 2021 a rare wine?
The Savagnin Viaduc 2021 is considered rare due to its extremely limited production volume of only 282 bottles. This tiny batch represents the first commercial vintage from producers Eric Fimbel and Lydia Houillon, making it a highly exclusive debut. Beyond the low quantity, the wine's character is unique because it eschews standard industry practices like filtration and added sulphurs. This combination of limited availability and an unapologetically raw, unfiltered winemaking style makes this specific vintage a significant and rare find for collectors.
Originally reported by Reddit Wine.
