La Chablisienne : Chablis Grand cru "Les Preuses" 2014

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chablis Grand Cru "Les Preuses" 2014 from La Chablisienne

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale gold hue with bright highlights, characteristic of a Chardonnay at full maturity.

Nose

The nose reveals lovely aromatic complexity. On opening, fine and elegant oaky notes emerge. With aeration, the bouquet develops toward fruity aromas of white-fleshed fruits, notably peach, complemented by refreshing menthol notes and lemon zest.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its elegance and juicy fruit character. The acidity brings definition and freshness, while the mid-palate unveils volume and density. The whole is marked by a fine mineral tension that structures the tasting. The long, saline finish reflects the typical expression of the Kimmeridgian terroir and reveals excellent aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Grand Cru "Les Preuses" 2014 is an ideal match for seared scallops. It also pairs beautifully with shellfish such as plancha-grilled langoustine, roasted monkfish medallions, or bouchées à la reine filled with seafood and mushrooms.

Serving and cellaring

The Chablis Grand Cru "Les Preuses" 2014 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. This wine can be enjoyed through around 2027.

A Chablis Grand Cru true to the mineral character typical of Bourgogne

The estate

Founded in 1923, La Chablisienne has established itself as the leading cooperative in the Chablis appellation in Bourgogne, representing around a quarter of the region’s production. Bringing together nearly 300 member winegrowers, it farms 1,250 hectares of vines spread across seventeen communes. Under the leadership of Damien Leclerc, the cooperative has evolved from a traditional agricultural structure into a sophisticated wine enterprise, internationally recognized for the quality of its cuvées. In 2014, its oenologist Vincent Bartement was named White Winemaker of the Year by the International Wine Challenge, underscoring the technical excellence of La Chablisienne.

The vineyard

The Chablis Grand Cru "Les Preuses" comes from an exceptional 10.81-hectare climat located on the right bank of the Serein Valley. Benefiting from ideal south and south-west exposure, this terroir captures optimal sunshine throughout the day. The clay-limestone soils rest on the famous Kimmeridgian substratum, a marine limestone rock from the Jurassic period rich in oyster fossils, which gives the wines their distinctive minerality. The pronounced slope ensures perfect natural drainage, encouraging the expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The 2014 vintage in Bourgogne unfolded under favorable climatic conditions. After a rainy winter that replenished water reserves, spring proved conducive to a good start to the growing season. Summer, sufficiently warm and balanced in terms of rainfall, allowed for gradual ripening without excessive water stress. The prolonged, mild autumn favored optimal ripening of the Chardonnay, making it possible to harvest grapes at perfect physiological maturity while preserving the characteristic freshness and acidity.

Winemaking and aging

The Chablis Grand Cru "Les Preuses" 2014 was vinified according to La Chablisienne’s distinctive process, which receives fresh must rather than finished wines, allowing for precise control of fermentation. Aging took place on fine lees for around 14 months, split between oak barrels and tanks. This method enriches the wine’s texture while preserving its aromatic purity and mineral expression.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay