Jean-Marc Brocard : Chablis 1er cru "Butteaux" 2023

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Chablis 1er cru "Butteaux" 2023 by Jean-Marc Brocard

Tasting

Appearance
The wine shows a pale yellow hue with subtle green highlights and a lovely brilliance.

Nose
Precise and expressive, the nose reveals aromas of white fruit such as pear and apple, along with citrus notes. These scents blend harmoniously with floral touches of hawthorn and linden blossom, all underscored by a marine minerality reminiscent of iodine and oyster shell.

Palate
The attack is broad and concentrated, offering a rich texture perfectly balanced by lively acidity. The highly structured mid-palate stretches elegantly towards a long, sapid finish, carried by refreshing tension and a delicate saline thread.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine is an ideal match for seafood such as oysters, clams or langoustines, as well as grilled white fish like sea bass or turbot. It also pairs beautifully with white meats in a creamy mushroom sauce, or with young pressed cheeses such as Comté.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal enjoyment, serve this Chablis 1er cru "Butteaux" 2023 at a temperature between 10 and 12°C, opening the bottle 15 to 30 minutes beforehand. This age-worthy wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to develop until around 2033.

The richness and mineral tension of a great Chablis

The estate

Officially founded in 1974 by Jean-Marc Brocard, the eponymous estate is located in Préhy, in the heart of northern Burgundy, France. Originally comprising a single hectare, the vineyard now covers nearly 240 hectares. Still family-owned, the estate is currently run jointly by Jean-Marc Brocard and his son Julien. The latter brought about a major turning point by converting a large part of the land to organic and biodynamic farming. Today, the estate stands as one of the region's leading organic producers, combining technical innovation with respect for the terroir.

The vineyard

The Butteaux climat is one of the finest lieux-dits in the Montmains sector, within the Chablis appellation. This terroir is distinguished by deep soils that are particularly rich in clay, resting on a typical Kimmeridgian subsoil teeming with marine fossils. This geological configuration stores the summer heat, encouraging slow, steady ripening of the berries. The estate employs gentle farming practices, such as vine braiding to limit vegetative stress, as well as tracked tractors and vineyard robots to preserve soil porosity.

The vintage

The 2023 growing season provided weather conditions that shaped wines of fine energy. The vegetative cycle culminated in a healthy harvest, giving rise to a vintage marked by great freshness and lively acidity. The berries retained remarkable tension throughout their development.

Vinification and ageing

The estate's philosophy for this Chablis 1er cru "Butteaux" 2023 is based on minimal intervention in the cellar. As soon as the grapes arrive, all juice transfers are carried out by gravity to preserve aromatic integrity and prevent oxidation. Fermentation is rigorously monitored every day. The wine then undergoes extended ageing on fine lees for 6 to 24 months, without systematic bâtonnage. The vessels are carefully selected to support the wine while respecting the purity of its fruit.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay