Domaine Laroche

Bourgogne, France

Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2014

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  • Vineyard Profile

    • Domaine Laroche owns 2.16 hectares (5.34 acres) of the 126.1 hectares (311.57 acres) in the Vaillons premier cru appellation. Les Vaillons is a well-favored site with an elevation of 180 to 200 meters (590 to 656 feet), a generous southeastern exposure and well-drained soil. During sunny vintages, the grapes attain perfect ripeness in this premier cru vineyard and produce wines with bright fruit flavors.

    • Definition: “Vaillons” refers to the smaller valleys or climats that the larger climat of Les Vaillons can be divided into: Roncières, Beugnons, Les Lys, Les Epinottes, Châtains, Sécher and Mélinots.
    • 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: 40 years
    • Soil: The limestone marl and Kimmeridgian soil is deep, and the vines are deeply rooted in this stony environment. Formed during the Kimmeridgian geological period (Late Jurassic, 150 to 155 million years ago), the soil contains a mixture of limestone and clay with a multitude of tiny fossilized oyster shells. This unique soil structure gives a finesse to Chablis that is precise, elegant and exceptional.
  • Vintage Report

    • More information coming soon. 

  • Vinification

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  • Tasting Notes

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Reviews

  • Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2014 – 94 points – Decanter

  • Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2014 – 90 points – Wine Spectator

    “Peach, apple, chalk and stone aromas and flavors are the highlights in this sleek, juicy white. The bracing acidity leaves a clean, minerally aftertaste.”

  • Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2014 – 90 points – The Wine Advocate

    “… a gentle bouquet with hints of popcorn at first, though soon replaced by ripe Satsuma and slightly smoky scents. The palate is fresh on the entry with crisp acidity, modest weight, but with a pleasant salinity that fans out towards the finish ...”

  • Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2014 – 90+ points – Vinous

    “Brisk aromas of lemon, pepper and spearmint. Tightly wound, stony and uncompromising, conveying a distinctly cool ripeness … chalky flavors of citrus peel, crushed stone and flinty silex. Very classy Vaillons with a concentrated finish...”

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