Varietal

100% Chardonnay.

Tasting notes

Pale gold in colour. Open nose reminiscent of fruit and elegant flowers aromas. Round on the palate. Structured with flavours of apricot and toasted almond on the finish.

Food and wine pairing

Perfect with all fish and shellfish as well as with white meats.

Serving suggestions

Serve ideally at a temperature of 14°C. (57°F.).

Ageing potential

4 to 6 years.

Origin

34 hectares are classified under the Premier Cru Fourchaume appellation.

Located in the commune of La Chapelle- Vaulpelteigne, just to the north of the hillside containing all of the Grands Crus, this is a jewel among the Premiers Crus. Due to its international reputation, the wines from the subparcels is often sold under the Fourchaume name. In fact, Fourchaume is one of the "Climats porte drapeau" (flag-bearer climates) grouping together those of L'Homme Mort, Vaulorent, Côte de Fontenay and Vaupulent.

The slope is regular with south-western exposure, and is located in the valley of Fontenay-près-Chablis to the northeast of Chablis. Gentle slopes overlying Kimmeridgian marls.

Vinification and maturing

- some of the grapes were brought in in 15-kg crates
- pneumatic pressing
- cold static settling of the juice
- alcoholic fermentation began in stainless steel tanks after 3 days, 15% of the juice was transferred to fine-grained 1 to 2-year-old barrels where it continued alcoholic fermentation with weekly stirring the remaining juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks for 7 to 10 days under controlled temperatures (18 to 20°C) in order to preserve as much fruit as possible
- 100% malolactic fermentation
- aged on fine lees for 10 months

Vintage : 2012

After a relatively warm, dry month of March, the new buds started to swell by the end of the month. However the return to cold weather in April cancelled out this early progress: severe frosts damaged the vineyard and destroyed 1% to 5% of the buds in the majority of vineyards. In early May, growth was about one week later than average at a stage of 3 to 4 leaves per branch appearing. The end of May saw hailstorms and certain affected vineyards fell further behind in their development. Flowering, at its half-way stage took place on about 12th- 15th of June. Much rain fell in June with some severe attacks of mildew, making it very difficult for the growers to respect spraying programmes. With July came cool temperatures which accentuated the difficulties and an important oidium contamination occurred in many vineyards. The colour change of the grapes (veraison) was about 10 days later than normal. Finally in August we experienced high temperatures with little rain. The grape maturation started normally and continued well thanks to a warm, dry month of September. The Chablis harvest began on the 24th September. The yields were quite low and good maturity was attained. The musts easily attained a natural degree of 11.5% to 12% and acidity was between 5.5 and 6.5 gr/litre.