Chablis Premier Cru Les Montmains – 2017
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Introduction
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Les Montmains is located on a spectacular slope in a widely open valley with abundant sunshine. A beautiful terroir for this excellent, racy Premier Cru
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Vineyard Profile
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Chablis – Montmains 1er Cru is 3,61 acres of 244,16 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: 30 years
- Soil: Les Montmains is located on a spectacular slope in a widely open valley with abundant sunshine. A beautiful terroir for this excellent, racy Premier Cru.
- 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 in a pneumatic press, then 12 hours settling at 12° C to 15° C (53° F to 59° F) in in large vats.
- Fermentation: The must ferments for 3 weeks, a part in stainless steel vats and the other one 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: 12.5%
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Tasting Notes
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Real sinuous and final aromas. This wine has enough personality to be served with spicy dishes or goat cheese.
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Images
Reviews
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Montmains – 2017 – Burghound – 91 Points
A cool, pure and very pretty nose features notes of mineral reduction, green apple, iodine and tidal pool. There is an attractive texture to the delicious, intense and well-detailed middle weight flavors that aren't super-dense but they do offer fine depth and persistence on the youthfully persistent lemon-tinged finish. This is worth checking out.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Montmains – 2017 – Vinous – 94 Points
The 2017 Chablis Les Montmains 1er Cru is bright, lifted and finely cut, with tons of energy that give the wine its sense of focus. White flowers, citrus, orchard fruit, mint and pineapple all develop in the glass, but it is the wine's taut feel that stands out most. This is another compelling wine from Laroche.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Montmains 1er Cru – 2017 – The Wine Advocate – 90-92 Points
The 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains is more blocky and foursquare, revealing notes of citrus zest, pastry cream and tart orchard fruit, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated palate that's firm and stony. If it rounds out with further élevage, it will be excellent.