La Chablisienne : Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2012

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2012 by La Chablisienne

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale white colour with golden highlights, characteristic of cool-climate Chardonnays.

Nose

The nose reveals aromas of white flowers accompanied by citrus notes and subtle mineral nuances.

Palate

On the palate, this wine reveals a structure that is both rich and taut. Lively acidity brings energy and freshness to the fruit, while the tight texture reflects the wine's youth. The minerality characteristic of the Kimmeridgian terroir comes through with clarity, leading to a long, elegant finish. This Premier Cru shows generous body while retaining the precision and vivacity typical of great Chablis.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2012 is a perfect match for oysters and seafood, enhancing their natural salinity. It also pairs brilliantly with fine fish such as turbot or sole, particularly when served with creamy sauces or beurre blanc. White meats with cream and mushrooms also make a harmonious pairing, as does poultry in delicate sauces.

Serving and Ageing

This Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2012 is ideally served at a temperature of 10 to 12°C.

A Mineral, Beautifully Concentrated Chablis Premier Cru

The Estate

Founded on 1 May 1923 at the initiative of Abbé Balitrand, La Chablisienne is today the leading cooperative winery in Burgundy's Chablis region. It brings together between 250 and 280 winegrowing families who farm some 1,200 hectares of vines, nearly a quarter of the appellation. Currently led by Managing Director Damien Leclerc, with Estelle Roy as cellar master, the cooperative has established itself as a global benchmark for white wines. In 2024, it was named White Wine Producer of the Year by the International Wine & Spirit Competition, an accolade that recognises both its excellence and its commitment to sustainable viticulture.

The Vineyard

Chablis 1er cru Fourchaume comes from a Premier Cru climat located on the right bank of the Serein, north of the Grand Crus. Covering around 130 hectares across the communes of Chablis-Poinchy, Fontenay-près-Chablis, Maligny and La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, this terroir enjoys a predominantly west- and south-west-facing exposure, which ensures generous sunshine and early ripening of the grapes. The soils lie on the famous Kimmeridgian limestone, a 180-million-year-old geological formation composed of limestone, clay and fossilised oyster shells. This deep brown clay provides good drainage while maintaining sufficient water reserves, even during periods of drought.

The Vintage

The 2012 vintage proved particularly challenging in Burgundy and Chablis. A relatively mild winter was followed by a devastating frost on 21 April, then further frosts in May. Flowering was disrupted by coulure and millerandage, while a sudden heatwave in July scorched some exposed bunches. Heavy rain in mid-September called for close vineyard monitoring, although no significant disease ultimately developed. Despite these climatic challenges, favourable conditions during ripening and harvest made it possible to produce concentrated wines with fine mineral energy and remarkable acidity.

Winemaking and Ageing

The Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2012 was vinified according to La Chablisienne's rigorous protocols. The musts, pressed and delivered by the member growers, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for ten to twelve months. This stainless steel vinification preserves the mineral purity of the terroir, free from any oak influence. The wine was then aged on fine lees for around twelve months, without bâtonnage, allowing complexity and texture to develop naturally. This respectful approach favours a transparent expression of the Fourchaume climat.

Grape Variety

100% Chardonnay