Domaine Laroche - Chablis "Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes" Premier Cru 2018
Price: $63.00
Producer | Domaine Laroche |
Country | France |
Region | Burgundy |
Subregion | Chablis |
Varietal | Chardonnay |
Vintage | 2018 |
Sku | 27295 |
Domaine Laroche Description
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.
Vintage Report: 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.
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.
Tasting Notes: 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.
Vinous Media: 91 Points
The 2018 Chablis Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru offers green apples, lime, sea spray and light grilled almond notes on a nose that takes a few swirls of the glass to get going. The palate is well balanced, with a faint tang of dried quince and bitter lemon on the entry. I admire the salinity and savory finish of this Vaillons, though I suspect it will show best in its youth. Maybe I’ll be proved wrong! -- Neal Martin
Wine Spectator: 89 Points
Though soft and lacking the intensity of the best vintages, this shows good Chablis character, offering floral, apple and seashore aromas and flavors. Fine length too. Drink now. 2,500 cases made, 500 cases imported. — BS
Wine Advocate: 88-90 Points
Charming but lively, the 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes reveals aromas of fresh peach and beeswax, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy but precise palate.
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