Vinous

The 2022 Chablis Les Fourchaumes Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru needs a little more mineralité and complexity on the nose to keep pace with its fellow Fourchaume. The palate is slightly honeyed on the entry, suggesting a later picking, though the acidity is still here. Lightly spiced on the finish, I would afford this at least 12 months in bottle. Tasted blind at the BIVB tasting in Chablis.

Tasting Notes

Intense minerality and superb structure, incomparable length.

About the Wine

Les Fourchaumes is the most prestigious Premier Cru located just to the north of the town of Chablis, and on the eastern banks of the Serein river. The 70 year old vines are planted on a well exposed slope sheltered from the Northern winds. A racy, elegant wine with beautiful minerality, offering delicate notes of white blossom and orchard fruit.

Vineyard Notes

Domaine Laroche owns 2.44 ha of this large Premier Cru (103 ha). 70 year-old vines planted on a slope wellexposed to South and West, sheltered from Northern wind. The soils in Fourchaume are also similar to those in the Grand Cru vineyards, being made up of the same chalky, limestone-rich Kimmeridgian subsoil. This dry, barren, generally thin soil helps to stress vines, lessening vigor and yield and leading to more concentrated grapes and good acidity retention - a hallmark of the region. Les Fourchaumes is one of the most spectacular vineyards of Domaine Laroche.

Winery Notes

Founded in 1850, Domaine Laroche is one of the largest owners of Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in Chablis and has led movements to raise the quality of the appellation
with the creation of a charter of excellence for the Grand Cru producers. Today, Domaine Laroche still produces and ages its Premiers and Grands Crus in the historical cellars
of its headquarters, the Obédiencerie.