La Chablisienne : Chablis 1er cru "Mont de Milieu" 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chablis Premier Cru "Mont de Milieu" 2021 from La Chablisienne

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a pale gold hue, clear and bright.

Nose

The nose reveals floral aromas alongside distinctive mineral notes.

Palate

On the palate, this wine stands out for its remarkable tension and elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Premier Cru is an ideal match for seafood, especially oysters and scallops. It also pairs perfectly with creamy white meats, citrus-infused poultry, or Chablisienne-style ham.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Chablis Premier Cru "Mont de Milieu" 2021 at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

The freshness and precision of a Chablis Premier Cru

The estate

Founded in 1923, La Chablisienne is a leading institution in the Burgundy wine region. This cooperative now brings together 250 member winegrowers farming 1,200 hectares of vineyards, representing around a quarter of Chablis’ total production. Led by Damien Leclerc since 2008, La Chablisienne has doubled its revenue to reach €64 million in 2024, with a commercial presence in more than 90 countries. The cooperative stands out for its unique model of receiving the harvest in the form of musts, giving it complete control over vinification. Vincent Bartement, cellar master for the past thirteen years, was named Best White Winemaker at the International Wine Challenge 2022.

The vineyard

The Climat Mont de Milieu covers forty-four hectares and benefits from a particularly favorable south-southeast exposure. This Premier Cru from Chablis lies on Kimmeridgian limestone clays enriched with small white limestone pebbles, forming a remarkably homogeneous whole. Sheltered from cold northerly winds by a natural woodland, this terroir enjoys a microclimate conducive to optimal ripening of chardonnay while preserving the hallmark freshness of the appellation. The name "Mont de Milieu" recalls that this hill once marked a medieval border separating the County of Champagne from the Duchy of Burgundy.

The vintage

The year 2021 was marked by particularly challenging weather conditions. A late spring frost struck the entire French vineyard with rare intensity, causing the loss of more than 190 hectares according to the INAO. June and July were especially rainy, followed by unstable weather from mid-July to mid-August. These conditions encouraged outbreaks of downy mildew and gray rot despite the winegrowers’ constant vigilance. The 2021 vintage therefore produced wines with very pronounced acidity and moderate fruit concentration, requiring exceptional technical skill to bring out the best in the grapes.

Vinification and aging

The Chablis Premier Cru "Mont de Milieu" 2021 is aged on fine lees, a technique that enhances the wine’s texture while preserving its freshness. The La Chablisienne cooperative controls the entire vinification process thanks to the reception of directly pressed musts, giving it total command over the critical stages of fermentation and aging.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay.