Domaine Vrignaud, Chablis 1er Cru `Fourchaume`

 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:

Guillaume has four hectares of 1er Cru Fourchaume which are situated in the north of Chablis, near the commune of Fontenay Près-Chablis, on the eastern banks of the Serein river. The vineyard benefits from an ideal south-facing aspect. The vines are an average of 30 years old, planted on clay-limestone Kimmeridgian soils, and produce grapes with great concentration of flavour.

Vinification:

The grapes were carefully selected to ensure only the best were vinified. A five month fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures, with 100% malolactic fermentation allowed. The wine was then transferred to stainless steel tanks where it spent a further period on its lees to add texture and complexity, before bottling and release.

Tasting Notes:

This wine is golden yellow in colour, with gun flint aromas on the nose combined with ripe citrus notes. The palate is rich and full bodied with a refreshing acidity and and lingering finish.