Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots – 2017
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Vineyard Profile
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Blanchots has a unique soil composition, combining typical Chablis Kimmeridgian limestone with a layer of white clay. Blanchots takes its name from this white clay which retains moisture and protects the vines from hydric stress. The Chardonnay grapes are notably well balanced, producing wines of remarkable elegance.
- Vineyards: Domaine Laroche owns 4.56 hectares (11 acres) — over one-third — of the grand cru Les Blanchots. With eastern and southern exposures on a steep slope ranging in elevation from 155 to 215 meters (509 to 705 feet), these old Blanchots vines ripen with a matchless minerality and aromatic richness due to the Kimmeridgian soil and the vineyard’s eastern orientation, which protects the fruit from the late afternoon sun.
- 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: Blanchots has a unique soil composition, combining typical Chablis Kimmeridgian limestone with a layer of white clay. Blanchots takes its name from this white clay which retains moisture and protects the vines from hydric stress. On the eastern part of the Grand Cru hill, on an exceptionally steep slope.
- 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, 60% in stainless-steel vats, where the temperature gradually increases from 16° C to 19° C (61° F to 66° F). The rest ferments in French oak barrels, of which 15% is new).
- Aging: 9 months (around 60% in stainless-steel vats and the rest in French oak barrels. Then, 6 months aging in bottles.
- 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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A real elegance appears in this grand cru, with a typical spring blossom aromas and a delicate mineral finish. On the palate, it offers a silky mouthfeel supported by a lively, racy acidity. Blanchots is delicate, silky and shows its charm after five years in bottle and at peak after 10 to 12 years.
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Images
Reviews
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots – 2017 – Vinous – 94 Points
The 2017 Chablis Les Blanchots Grand Cru is airy in the glass, with a real feeling of translucent energy that distinguishes it in this range. White flowers, citrus, orchard fruit and light tropical accents all grace this understated, nuanced 1er Cru. This is such a pretty wine.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots – 2017 – Wine Spectator – 90 Points
This is rich, evoking lemon cake, green apple and pastry flavors. Backed by vibrant acidity, this leaves a cleansing impression on the long finish. Drink now through 2024. 625 cases made, 20 cases imported.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots – 2017 – Burghound – 92 Points
There is plenty of classic Chablis character to the cool, fresh and ripe aromas of green apple, citrus, iodine and kelp. There is a lovely mouth feel to the textured, vibrant and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the clean, moderately dry and sneaky long finish. This could use a bit more overall depth but the underlying material appears to be present for that to occur.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots – 2017 – The Wine Advocate – 93+ Points
Laroche's 2017 Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots is showing well, unfurling in the glass with a pretty bouquet of almond paste, yellow orchard fruit, nectarine and mint. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with good concentration and tension at the core, and a saline, delicately wood-inflected finish.