The Wine
The domain farms 1.1 ha in this subsection of Fourchaume which is located towards the northern part of Fourchaume, a top Premier Cru vineyard noted for growing on similar contours as the Grand Crus above the right bank of the Serein. Pierrick's vines average 25 years with some up to 35 years old. Vinified with indigenous yeast with a very long slow alcoholic fermentation of 2-3 months. The wine is aged in stainless steel for 60% and in aged barrels for 40% with bottling in spring for a total elevage of 18 months giving a wine of excellent complexity and depth.
”Tank sample – ‘brut’: A mix of tank and barrel – 60% tank, a bit younger wood used for this cuvée. This is a very open and airy nose – a faint spice but it’s more about the florals today. Ooh – that’s so mineral and vibrantly flavoured – practically dynamic – but there’s a bit of gas in this that helps that impression. But this is directly a great wine – a notch above the Butteaux today – love it!” Burgundy-report.com, Bill Nanson, February 2022.
The Details
Variety - Chardonnay
Country - France
Region - Chablis
Extra - Cork
Year - 2020
Volume - 750ml
Located in the north-west sector of Chablis in the village of Maligny, Pierrick Laroche now runs this family estate which was established by his father in the 1970s. His father gradually gained planting rights and slowly added to the family vineyard holdings over time. In 2010 Pierrick produced his first vintage to great acclaim (his father had previously sold the grapes to La Chablisienne). Pierrick has a degree in oenology from Beaune and after graduating he travelled the world, doing various internships to gain experience before returning home to start making wine and take over the family vineyards for himself. His cellars are built into the side of a hill in the village enabling much of the work to be done by gravity. Vinifications are done classically in stainless steel tanks with some of the Premier and Grand Cru wines aged in used barrels for a small portion of each cuvée where the wines undergo full malolactic. His oldest plot of vines is Les Châtillons, which was planted in early 1970s and is located just behind the hill of Grand Crus. This cuvée also has a small portion of barrel ageing, employed to great effect. The domain farms 1.1 ha in this subsection of Fourchaume which is located towards the northern part of Fourchaume, a top Premier Cru vineyard noted for growing on similar contours as the Grand Crus above the right bank of the Serein. Pierrick's vines average 25 years with some up to 35 years old.
