Premier Cru Fourchaume
The vintage
After a relatively mild and very dry winter, the vine began to bud in the last week of March. Fortunately, at the end of March, just before the first frosts, the vintage showed a few days' delay compared to the average of the past 20 years. Despite the frost and cold, we observe a good emergence of clusters. Flowering took place at the end of May under excellent conditions, with little shatter or millerandage. The vine caught up and now shows a 10-day advance. August 31 marks the beginning of the harvest with all the teams. The sanitary condition is perfect, the skins are thick, and the grapes are pulpy with a good juice yield.
Location
The 115-hectare appellation is located on the slopes of the right bank of the Serein, giving it the most favorable exposure to express its personality. This results in flattering, rich and supple wines that retain the characteristic minerality of Chablis.
Terroir
The soil, composed of marl and clay-limestone from the Kimmeridgian (a geological period of the Upper Jurassic dating from 160 to 140 million years ago), extends on both sides of the Le Serein river. The subsoils are rich in minerals and oyster fossils, giving Chablis wine its typical mineral character. Regarding the Premier Cru Fourchaume appellation, the soil is quite deep marl.
Winemaking
Application of the principle of gravity to avoid any pumping, which could alter the quality of the wine. Short-duration pneumatic pressing (1h30 to 2h00) for a delicate separation between the solid and liquid parts of the grapes. Very light static settling to retain enough fine lees for the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations to occur naturally. The musts are placed in French oak barrels (on average 6 years old) for 40 to 50% of the blend. The remainder is vinified in small stainless steel tanks. Aging lasts 13 to 14 months, including 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels for 40 to 50% of the blend. The aging process finishes in small stainless steel tanks.
Grapes
Tasting
Very aromatic bouquet combining notes of fruit and flowers.
The palate is very elegant, blending power, finesse and roundness.
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