Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2019
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Vineyard Profile
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Domaine Laroche owns 2.17 hectares (5.34 acres) of the 104.26 hectares (311.57 acres) 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.
- Vine Age: 60+ years
- Density: 5,880 vines per hectare (2,380 vines per acre).
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Vintage Report
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The 2019 vintage bore all the extremes: April and May with night frosts followed by three heatwaves at the end of June, end of July and end of August. The vineyard suffered from almost no disease therefore very few treatments were applied. The harvest started gently on September 10. The grapes were perfectly healthy. The first juices were very well balanced which forecasts a vintage similar to 2017.
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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: Alcoholic and malolatic fermentation in French oak barrels and in stainless steel tanks (15% in oak barrel and 85% in stainless steel).
- Aging: The wine is aged in 50% foudre and 50% barrels, including 8% of new oak for nine months before being bottled in September 2020.
- 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: 13%
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Tasting Notes
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There is a velvety character in this wine that comes from the sunny character of the vineyard. Perfectly ripe Chardonnay grapes grown on old vines give Vaillons a typical oriental spice overtone. On the palate it offers intensity but never lacks the elegance of the best premier crus of Chablis.
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Images
Reviews
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2019 – Wine Enthusiast – 94 Points
Old vines grown on a warm, exposed slope (important in Chablis) give this wine its richness and textured concentration. Ripe apple and tangy lime flavors complement a tight edge that will soften as the wine matures.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2019 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points
An inflection of green herbs and green fruit marks this round, lively white, with apple, yellow plum and earth notes completing the profile. Excellent length.
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Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes – 2019 – The Wine Advocate – 92 Points
Unwinds in the glass with aromas of green orchard fruit, pastry cream, fresh bread and light reduction. Medium to full-bodied, ample and saline. It’s bright and chiseled, with a classically Chablisien tang.