Chablis Premier Cru Les Fourchaumes Vieilles Vignes – 2017
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Vineyard Profile
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Chablis—Fourchaumes 1er Cru is 3.12 hectares (7.71 acres) of 129.49 hectares (319.98 acres) in total
- Viticulture: One man, one plot: There are more than 30 people who are dedicated to caring for the 90-plus hectares (222.39 acres) of Domaine Laroche vineyards, with each person responsible for only one plot. This tailor-made approach allows them to manage the vineyards with precision, speed and accuracy. Everyone at Domaine Laroche practices “lutte raisonnée,” or “reasoned protection,” (using chemical intervention only when required): The vineyard is plowed to aerate the soil and encourage development of the root system, as well as the organic life in the soil. Vines are pruned and trained by hand, with a strict pruning and debudding regimen. Leaf plucking occurs to aerate the canopy and avoid the development of botrytis, while trellising aerates the grapes and provides them with favorable exposure.
- Vine Age: 70 years
- Soil: Old vines planted on a slope well-exposed to south and west, sheltered from northern wind, Fourchaumes is one of the most spectacular vineyards of Domaine Laroche.
- Density: 5,880 vines per hectare (2,380 vines per acre); massal selection from Laroche old vines for the new plantings.
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Vintage Report
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A precocious season with buds showing in early April. The cold wave that followed slowed down the growth, leaving good conditions for the flowering beginning of June. This singular season offered beautiful bunches and quality grapes with good health conditions. Once pressed, the juices were precise, straight, with great texture. This vintage will bring well-structured wines with a nice freshness.
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Vinification
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PRESSING: The grapes are harvested and sorted by hand. Whole bunches are pressed in a pneumatic press, and then the must settles for 12 hours at 10° C to 12° C (50° F to 54° F) in large vats.
- Fermentation: The must ferments for 3 weeks, a part in stainless steel vats and the other rest in French oak barrels.
- Aging: 8 months aging in the same vessel types. The wine will then be blended and aged further on fine lees for about 4-6 months depending on tastings.
- Filtration: Minimal filtration is used to preserve and maximize the natural character of the wine.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 13%
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Tasting Notes
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A racy, elegant wine with intense minerality; a beautiful structure with delicate notes of white blossom and orchard fruit.
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Images
Reviews
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Fourchaumes Vielles Vignes – 2017 – Burghound – 90 Points
A notably ripe nose exhibits a whiff of exotic fruit while displaying enough Chablis typicity to be persuasive. The sleek, intense and appealingly textured medium-bodied flavors are not as dense as what I'm used to seeing, all wrapped in a delicious if not especially complex finale. This is prettier than it is deep though I do like the clean, dry and focused finale.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Fourchaumes Vielles Vignes – 2017 – Vinous – 94 Points
The 2017 Chablis Les Fourchaumes Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru captures all of the signatures that make the Laroche wines so compelling. Rich, complex and multi-dimensional, the 2017 opens up beautifully in the glass. Lemon confit, dried flowers, mint, apricot and light tropical notes infuse the 2017 with striking character as well as nuance. There is so much going on here.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Fourchaumes Vielles Vignes – 2017 – The Wine Advocate – 91 Points
The 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourchaumes Vieilles Vignes is a dramatic, powerful wine that offers up aromas of yellow orchard fruit, honeycomb, white flowers, nectarines and oyster shells. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a generous, impactful attack, though it falls a little short on the finish.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Les Fourchaumes Grand Cru – 2017 – Wine Spectator – 90 Points
Subtle and elegant, with peach, apple and flint flavors gaining lift from bright acidity. A mouthwatering finish echoes the fruit and mineral elements. Drink now.