Céline Jacquet is an independent vigneronne working in the village of Arbin in the Savoie, with her domaine founded in 2011. This wine is 100% Mondeuse, a variety native to the Savoie, essentially only grown here. In particular, this is Mondeuse d’Arbin, distinguished from the way the grape will show in other pockets due to the very steep, rocky hill overlooking the village. Mondeuse in general isn’t shy: it’s got a lot of character, although Jacquet’s versions aren’t overly heavy or alcoholic. Think notes of anise, smoke, light leather, dried leaves… Mondeuse has an old relationship to Syrah; you sense it here. This has some great bottle age to it, too, so you can see the beauty of this grape after some years.