The favorite Grand Cru of Domaine Laroche offers much finesse and charm.

Domaine Laroche owns 4.56 hectares of this Grand Cru (11.65 ha in total), about one-third of the total surface of this growth. Les Blanchots is a unique terroir made of a layer of white clay on Kimmeridgian limestone with ammonites. Blanchots take its name from the white clays that are very present on this exceptionally steep hillside. A delight for paleontology enthusiasts and for the vines, an ideal combination that retains water in depth to feed the roots. The South-East exposure and the presence of clay allow for slow maturation, without degradation of the aromas.

The 2021 vintage could almost be described as late as we have been used to earlier and earlier harvests in recent years. The manual harvest started on September 21st in the parcels of Vieille Voye / Vaillons / Butteaux and Blanchots. Following episodes of rain, the sanitary pressure was present but controlled by our technical teams. In the end, the juices presented promising balanced profiles which were confirmed during the maturation. The tastings conducted in the cellars showed the finesse and the good acidity present in the wines.

The whole bunches are placed in a pneumatic press, and the must is left for 12 hours at a temperature of 12-15°C in large specially
designed tanks which accelerate natural sedimentation. The must ferments at 20°C for 3 weeks. The wine is aged for approximately 15 months, with 9 months in the historic cellars of the Obédiencerie. 100% in 228L, 400L, and 600L barrels of 1 to 7 years old. Bottling in January 2023.

“A more open perfume with lots of supporting density. A generous wine but still never a heavy wine – growing in small energetic
complexities. The finish with a little extra sweetness a wine that fades in the memory only very slowly – another superb wine.” -Bill Nanson