Varietal

100% Chardonnay.
Yield 58 hl/ha.

Tasting notes

Golden in colour.

Well-developed nose with a slight touch of smoke, ripe fruit, mild spices, tropical fruit, menthol, ginger, dry stone.

Lively, rich and full-bodied with subtle citrus and mineral flavours.

Food and wine pairing

Ideal with salmon in white butter sauce, as well as with roast chicken or guinea fowl.

Serving suggestions

14°C

Ageing potential

Already very pleasant, it will keep for at least 5 years in the cellar.

Origin

Chablis, located near Auxerre in the Yonne department, is one of Burgundy's most northerly vineyards. The appellation has 40 climats classified as premiers crus, including 17 main ones.

Situated on the left bank of the Serein, in the centre of the hillside to the south-west of Chablis, the 105 hectares of Premier Cru Vaillons enjoy a particularly favourable exposure and, quite rightly, an excellent reputation. Gently sloping hillsides. Kimmeridgian marl.

The diversity of this Premier Cru's sub-soils is reflected in the plots of Beugnon, Chatain and Minot. Vinified separately, the cuvées from these 3 parcels were then blended to bring out the full richness of the vintage.

Behind the term "Vaillons" lies the notion of a small valley (from the Latin "vallis" or "valles" meaning "elongated space between two areas").

Vinification and maturing

- pneumatic pressing
- cold static settling - alcoholic fermentation began in stainless steel tanks after 3 days, 15% of the juice was racked and transferred to fine-grained barrels where it continued alcoholic fermentation the remaining juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks for 7 to 10 days under controlled temperatures (18 to 20°C) to preserve a maximum of fruit and glycerol
- Malolactic fermentation was complete in mid-March aged on the lees for 8 months with regular stirring of the lees to add richness

Vintage : 2008

The 2008 growth cycle followed up-and-down weather patterns which resulted in late budburst, uneven flowering depending on the vineyard’s exposure, and fungal diseases requiring both spraying and know-how on the part of the grower. Millerandage was inevitable given such conditions which limited yields. Paradoxically, though the Yonne department’s northern location means summer temperatures are relatively cool; this region received less rainfall during the summer than regions further south. Late harvesting allowed us to get the most out of the sunshine experienced during the second half of September, resulting in a 2008 vintage that is very harmonious, concentrated, and fruity, with perfect balance between sugar and acidity.