Chablis Premier Cru
Premier CruGrape Variety :
Chardonnay.Vineyard
Site: a blend of various Premier Cru parcels from the Joseph Drouhin Domaine in Chablis (Roncières, Mont de Milieu, Montée de Tonnerre, Moireins). They are located on either side of the Serein River, harvested and vinified separately, then assembled. The result is a harmonious whole where each wine brings its own identity.History & tradition: in the sixties, when the Chablis vineyards were all but abandoned, Robert Drouhin recognized the potential of this region which had been ravaged by the phylloxera disease a century before. He was one of the first Burgundy propriétaires who set about revitalizing the area.
Soil: the Kimmeridgian limestone contains millions of tiny marine fossils embedded in a kind of whitish mortar which may have been once the bottom of the sea...hundreds of million years ago. This marine origin gives the wines of Chablis their unique flavour.
Drouhin estate: 6.7 ha. (16.75 acres).
Average age of the vines: 29 years.
Viticulture
Biological cultivation since 1990 and biodynamic cultivation since 1999.Soil maintenance: age-old methods. Ploughing: "buttage" (hilling up around the vine-stocks) in autumn; "débuttage" (ploughing back in spring); work between the rows and the vine stocks done with manual tools only.
Treatment: only authorized products for biological cultivation are used - infusions and macerations of plant materials, sulfur and copper, powdered rock. Natural predators are not eliminated.
Plantation density: 8,000 to 10,000 stocks/ha.
Pruning: double Guyot "Vallée de la Marne" (for its resistance to frost).
Yield: we aim for a lower yield, such as it existed before the new law. This yield is therefore the present maximum yield minus 20%.
Average yield at the Domaine: 54.93hl/ha (the yield currently authorized for the appellation is now 60hl/ha).
Vinification
Harvesting: by hand.Pressing: very slow so as to respect the fruit. Juices from the last pressings are not retained.
Ageing
Type: stainless steel tank Length: 7-8 months
Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation. The data obtained is completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.
Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin
"A dry and brisk wine, typical of Chablis. Brilliant yellow-green colour. The aromas are reminiscent of lemon, citrus, asparagus...On the palate, the first sip offers its clear-cut and fresh impression, with a nice texture. Long on the aftertaste, with fruity as well as mineral flavours; becomes slightly honeyed when the wine is more evolved".Vintage
The wines show great purity of taste and a pleasant floral style. Chablis is very mineral in character, almost briny. Serving
Temperature: 12/13°C (52/53°F).Cellaring: 2 to 7 years.