Chablis Grand Cru Les Bouguerots – 2017
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Vineyard Profile
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The western most grand cru of Chablis. It always offers real sinew and fruity charm. Produced in limited quantities.
- Vineyards: Chablis—Bougros 1ér Cru (also spelled Bouguerots). In the heart of the Grand Crus, Domaine Laroche has 12.25 hectares (31 acres) of “Les Bouguerots” in the 15.85 hectares (39 acres) of the total surface.
- 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: 20 years old
- Soil: The vineyard benefits from an excellent south-west exposure near the Serein River on a slope rich in calcareous stones. At the foot of the hill, a 11.8 inch layer of clay allows water retention in summer, which is crucial for the balance of the grapes. The vineyard was planted with our own selection of plants coming from the old vines of the Domaine.
- Density: 5,880 vines per hectare (2,380 vines per acre); 10,000 vines per hectare (4,047 vines per acre) for younger vines; 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 emerging in early April. The cold wave that followed slowed down the growth, leaving good conditions for the flowering, which began in early June. This singular season offered beautiful bunches of quality grapes with good health conditions. Once pressed, the juices were precise, 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 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
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100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 12.5%
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Tasting Notes
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Sinewy with fruity charm. Grand Cru Les Bouguerots is fine after 3 to 5 years in bottle but needs five to eight years to show its full potential.
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Images
Reviews
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Bouguerots – 2017 – Vinous – 95 Points
The 2017 Chablis Les Bouguerots Grand Cru is a bright, inward, tightly coiled wine that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to unwind. White flowers, citrus peel, white pepper, mint and chalky notes abound. The Bouguerots is marked by its taut, nervy feel, but there is plenty of substance waiting to emerge as well. It is one of the highlights in the range.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Les Bouguerots Grand Cru – 2017 – Wine Spectator – 90-92 Points
The 2017 Chablis Grand Cru Les Bouguerots is a dense, fleshy wine that unfurls in the glass with notions of tart green apple, wet stones and spring flowers. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and textural but underpinned by tangy acids and concluding with chalky grip.