Domaine du Pélican: all 13 Wine Anorak scores, led by Vin Jaune 2016

From Volnay to the Jura

Wine Anorak tasted 13 Domaine du Pélican wines presented by Guillaume d’Angerville. He launched the Jura project in 2012 after beginning his search for vineyards there in 2007. D’Angerville had returned in 2003 to his family’s Volnay property, Domaine Marquis d’Angerville, following the death of his father, Jacques; the estate had belonged to the family for 200 years. His interest in the Jura sharpened after a blind tasting in which he identified an Arbois as a Puligny-Montrachet. The Jura also remained close enough to Burgundy for him to consider using his name on the label appropriate.¹

His initial acquisition comprised 5 hectares from an owner who had replanted the entire property, leaving sound vineyards on terroir that interested him. Later in 2007, he bought another 5 hectares at the noted Arbois lieu-dit Grand Coroulet. That site required extensive work and was ultimately uprooted in full, although its position as 1 continuous block was particularly attractive to a Burgundian grower.¹

A further 5 hectares came from Jacques Puffeney 5 years later, bringing Domaine du Pélican to 15 hectares. Its plantings are divided 70:30 between white and red grapes. D’Angerville recalled that 80% of Jura wine had once been consumed within the region and described himself as the earliest arrival from another wine region during its revival. Corney & Barrow represents the domaine in the UK.¹

Sparkling Savagnin and ouillé whites

Domaine du Pélican Brut S Zero Brut Nature 2020, Vin de France — 92/100. D’Angerville wanted a Jura sparkling wine made entirely from Savagnin. It therefore falls outside Crémant du Jura, and the grape cannot appear on its label; he described it as the region’s only sparkling wine made from 100% Savagnin. Mandarin, pear and lime shape its bright fruit, with spice emerging on the finish.¹

Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Ouillé 2023, Arbois, Jura, France — 94/100. Sweet cherry and pear accompany citrus in a refined, textured wine. Mineral definition, balance and sufficient weight lead into an aniseed accent at the end.¹

Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Ouillé 2022, Arbois, Jura, France — 94/100. Firm acidity gives this crystalline wine brightness and tension despite its richness. Its mineral profile carries cherry, pear, apple and spice.¹

Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Ouillé Grand Coroulet 2022, Arbois, Jura, France — 94/100. The aromas combine restrained toast, honey, a meal-like note, lemon and mandarin. A fine-textured, pure palate emphasizes polish, precision and elegance before a saline finish.¹

Domaine du Pélican Chardonnay 2023, Arbois, Jura, France — 94/100. Delicate toast frames sweet pear and peach, while finer toasted and marzipan nuances add to an expressive profile.¹

Chardonnay, skin contact and Jura reds

Domaine du Pélican Chardonnay en Barbi 2023, Arbois, Jura, France — 95/100. Pear, peach and citrus appear across a strongly textured palate, with a small aniseed note. Honeyed richness supplies weight, while the finish remains pure, expressive and refined.¹

Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Macération Pelliculaire 2022, Arbois, Jura, France — 95/100. This aromatic, complex skin-contact Savagnin has structural grip and depth. Citrus and apple bring freshness to a profile that combines power with elegance.¹

Domaine du Pélican Trois Cépages 2023, Arbois, Jura, France — 95/100. The blend originated when the domaine’s debut year yielded too few red grapes to vinify separately. It contains about 60% Pinot Noir with Trousseau and Ploussard: Pinot Noir leads, Trousseau contributes spice and Poulsard softens the finish. Redcurrant, red cherry and sour cherry are detailed by lively acidity.¹

Domaine du Pélican Trois Cépages 2022, Arbois, Jura, France — 94/100. Red cherry, redcurrant and wild strawberry meet spice and dried herbs. The wine is fresh, textured and animated, balancing complexity and personality with elegance, clarity and precision.¹

Domaine du Pélican Trousseau Béranger 2023, Arbois, Jura, France — 96/100. Very pale in color, this Trousseau combines cherry and citrus with redcurrant, red cherry and plum. Its firm freshness narrows into an elegant, pure finish.¹

Savagnin matured under flor

Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Sous Voile 2020, Arbois, Jura, France — 96/100. After 3 years under flor, the wine is highly aromatic yet refined and delicate. Flor-derived tanginess surrounds mint, pear, lime and sharp apple, with detail, acidity and length defining the finish.¹

Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Sous Voile 2019, Arbois, Jura, France — 95/100. This vintage also spent 3 years under flor, compared with 6 years for Vin Jaune. It is fresh, saline and intense, bringing focused complexity to green apple, cherry and lemon. The overall impression remains delicate and pure.¹

Domaine du Pélican Vin Jaune 2016, Arbois, Jura, France — 97/100. Matured for 6 years under flor, the tasting’s highest-scoring wine is juicy, tangy and vivid. Its dense, layered character combines an oily texture and spice with power, precision and a tightly wound, profound finish.¹