Domaine Vrignaud, Chablis

 Country: France  Region: Burgundy Vintage: 2020

Category: White Wine  Colour:  White Grape: Chardonnay

Producer: Domaine Vrignaud

Guillaume Vrignaud joined the family domaine in 1999, when his father was a member of the co-op in Chablis, and convinced him to build a cellar and start making his own wines. Their success was such that they have grown from 12 hectares of vineyard to 27 hectares today. In 2005, he started using solely native yeasts in his winemaking. "I think it gives me wines with more fruit and minerality," he asserts.

To express the character of the vineyards in the finished wines, Guillaume is very attentive to picking time. "I pick when the seeds in the grape are brown, but before any over-ripeness or botrytis has set in," he explains. "I like my Chablis to be precise rather than fat and full."

Vineyards:

The grapes for the Vrignaud Chablis come from 14 hectares of vineyard on clay-limestone soils near the commune of Fontenay-Près-Chablis. The vines are situated on south-east facing slopes, between 170-240 metres above sea level. The vines are 30 years old on average and double-cane pruned, resulting in fruit of great intensity and complexity of flavour. The vineyards are all farmed organically and became officially certified in September 2019.

Vinification:

Each plot was vinified separately. Fermentation occurred using natural yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks for five months. Following malolactic fermentation, the wine aged on its lees, adding texture and complexity to the finished wine. It was bottled in July 2021.

Tasting Notes:

The 2020 Chablis is pale yellow in colour with lime reflections. The nose marries ripe citrus notes of lemon and lime with delicate blossom aromas. On the palate, it is well balanced with a great intensity of flavour.