Roses de Jeanne by Ivan Omelchenko
Finally made it to a Roses de Jeanne tasting - somewhat chaotic, not quite cathartic, but absolutely worth it.
By Boris · Hosted by Ivan Omelchenko
I used to think I was cursed when it came to RDJ. Every time those mysterious bottles were opened in the garage - the ones where the winemaker keeps the production details under tight wraps - I'd be anywhere but there. Either I missed the announcement, or Ivan "tactfully" forgot to mention it. But this time, something shifted.
I saw the announcement right away. The date technically worked, if you count "being in Kyiv" as a free slot. But my evening was already booked: a small office tasting, followed by a meet-up. So I let it go - "Not this time," I thought. However, the day before, the meeting was cancelled. And on the morning of the tasting (well, closer to noon), Vanya calls: there are still spots. Roses de Jeanne. And I thought - maybe this really is fate. Only hitch? I was finishing the office tasting at the exact time the Roses de Jeanne tasting started. But I figured, what the hell - worth the gamble.
I'm usually wary of large tastings: complex wines, too many people, too much noise, not enough time. But I had to finally try these bloody RDJs and form my own opinion. Besides, I have a few bottles of Bouchard at home, and it's always a nice idea to taste these wines without opening my own bottles - let them rest and evolve.
And finally - tasted. I genuinely liked the wines (the scores speak for themselves), but I wouldn't say it was a revelation or catharsis. Partly because I process wine slowly - I need time. And partly because after the sixth bottle, my palate tends to blur (don't forget, this was my second tasting that evening). For big formats like this, I'd rather drink something easier, still tasty, but also less pretentious. Still - an important experience.
Cédric Bouchard's wines aren't about bubbles. They're about wine, full stop. They're miniature studies unfolding in silence. Precision without performance. And delicacy that doesn't try to please - it just is, with a core that feels incredibly pure and honest.
A few takeaways for me. Les Ursules is my cuvée, no doubt. I liked 2019 more than 2020 - I'm not fully convinced by the latter's potential. 2016, mathematically older, felt like it still had plenty of life ahead. That's the power of a good vintage. As for Presle, just as last time - it didn't really click with me.
So. Big thanks to Ivan for the opportunity, to Sabotage for bringing the wines in, and to everyone who came for the great company. It was lovely seeing familiar faces and also meeting new ones. Until next time!
Roses De Jeanne Val Vilaine VV/R22 2022
- 1.5 hectare vineyard in the lieu-dit "Val Vilaine" consisting of 100% Pinot Noir. 40 year-old vines
- Bands of Kimmeridgian soil common to Chablis. The Côte des Bars is closer to Chablis than to Reims.
- Vineyards are farmed using organic methods and simple Guyot pruning is employed. Vines are planted at a density of 8000 vines per hectare.
- 1st press juice only, hand harvested and crushed by foot and fermented using indigenous yeast. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
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Join to read it and the restRoses De Jeanne Val Vilaine VV/R21 2021
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Join to read it and the restRoses De Jeanne RDJ #3 NV
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- From a 0.9 hectare parcel of Pinot Noir with vines averaging 35 years of age.
- Bands of Kimmeridgian soil common to Chablis. The Côtes des Bars is closer to Chablis than to Reims.
- 1st press juice only, hand harvested and crushed by foot and fermented using indigenous yeast. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
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Join to read it and the restRoses De Jeanne Les Ursules UR/R19 2019
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- 15 rows (0.25 hectare) of 10 different Burgundian Pinot clones co-planted in 2007, all of which are massale selection.
- Clay and limestone with bands of Kimmeridgian (terre blanche) common to Chablis and Chavignol.
- 1st press juice only, hand harvested and crushed by foot and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
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