Antoine Jobard
Summary
Domaine Antoine Jobard is a small 5-hectare family estate in Meursault producing structured, mineral-driven Chardonnays from premier cru sites including Genevrières, Poruzots, and Charmes, alongside village-level parcels with mature vines averaging 30-60 years. The domaine maintains traditional methods including mechanical plowing, hand harvesting, indigenous yeast fermentation, and exceptionally long 20-22 month lees aging in oak barrels before bottling without fining or filtration.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Antoine Jobard represents one of Meursault's finest white wine producers, with roots firmly established in the Côte de Beaune. The domaine was managed by François Jobard for several decades before his son Antoine gradually assumed control beginning in 2002, with the transition fully completed by 2007. This father-to-son handover maintained the family's winemaking tradition while allowing for subtle evolution under Antoine's direction.
François Jobard built a reputation for producing structured, long-lived Meursault wines that often required patience to reveal their full potential. Under Antoine's leadership, the domaine has maintained this commitment to quality while implementing minor adjustments to the winemaking process. The domaine remains modest in size, allowing for meticulous attention to each vineyard parcel and maintaining the high standards established during François' tenure.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Antoine Jobard encompasses approximately 5 hectares of vineyards, primarily located in Meursault with additional holdings in Puligny-Montrachet. The domaine's portfolio includes several premier cru sites in Meursault: Blagny, Genevrières, Poruzots, and Charmes. Additionally, they produce village-level Meursault from the lieux-dits of En la Barre, Les Tillets, and Chevalières.
The vineyards feature the classic limestone and clay soils typical of Meursault, with variations in the limestone-to-clay ratio contributing to the distinctive character of each site. The vines average 30-60 years in age, with some older parcels exceeding 70 years. Chardonnay dominates the plantings, though the domaine also maintains a small parcel of Aligoté.
The wines of Antoine Jobard are characterized by their precision, mineral intensity, and remarkable aging potential. The premier cru bottlings showcase the distinct personalities of their respective sites: Genevrières offers elegance and finesse, Poruzots provides structure and depth, while Charmes delivers a more approachable richness.
Philosophy & Practice
Antoine Jobard adheres to traditional winemaking methods while incorporating thoughtful refinements. Vineyard work is labor-intensive, with plowing rather than herbicides used for weed control. Harvesting is done by hand, with careful sorting to ensure only the highest quality fruit enters the winery.
In the cellar, Jobard employs a straightforward approach focused on expressing terroir. After gentle pressing, the must undergoes fermentation with indigenous yeasts in oak barrels, typically 15-20% new oak. The wines remain on their lees for an extended period—approximately 20-22 months—before bottling without fining or filtration. This extended aging, longer than many Burgundy producers practice, contributes to the structural integrity and aging potential of the wines.
Antoine has slightly reduced the percentage of new oak compared to his father's era and has moved toward earlier bottling for some cuvées, though still later than most producers in the region. These adjustments maintain the domaine's traditional style while bringing additional precision and clarity to the wines. The resulting bottles require time in the cellar to fully express their character, typically showing their best after 5-10 years of aging.