La Chablisienne : Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2020

Tasting Characteristics and Serving Suggestions for La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru "Fourchaume" 2020

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a pale yellow hue with silvery highlights, bright and crystalline.

Nose

The nose opens with expressive, elegant aromas of lemon and pear, accompanied by mineral notes of flint and chalk. After aeration, herbal nuances reminiscent of dandelion emerge, while the minerality intensifies with distinctive chalky touches.

Palate

The attack is rich and dense, revealing lovely breadth. The structure stands out for its fine mineral tension, bringing freshness and precision. The harmonious, charming palate unfolds flavors of citrus and white-fleshed fruits, subtly spiced. The finish lingers elegantly on mineral and lemony notes, reflecting excellent aging potential.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Chablis 1er Cru "Fourchaume" 2020 is an ideal match for oysters, scallops in carpaccio or lightly grilled, as well as shellfish. It also pairs perfectly with fine fish such as sea bass or sole, prepared with lemon and tarragon, or with fresh herb cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Chablis 1er Cru "Fourchaume" 2020 between 10 and 12°C. Light aeration for around twenty minutes before serving helps reveal its full aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve through around 2030.

A Chablis Premier Cru Combining Minerality and Burgundian Elegance

The Estate

Founded on May 1, 1923, La Chablisienne is one of the most important wine cooperatives in Burgundy. Bringing together around 250 winegrowers, it oversees nearly 1,250 hectares of vines and accounts for about a quarter of the total production of the Chablis appellation. Under the leadership of Damien Leclerc for the past fifteen years or so, the cooperative has stood out with five "White Winemaker of the Year" titles awarded by the International Wine Challenge. Today, Estelle Roy, head winemaker since 2023, continues to uphold this excellence in winemaking.

The Vineyard

The Chablis 1er Cru "Fourchaume" comes from one of the appellation’s most renowned climats, located on the right bank of the Serein. The vines stretch across the communes of Chablis, Fontenay-près-Chablis, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, and Maligny. The vineyard enjoys an ideal southeast to southwest exposure, on soils made up of Kimmeridgian limestone alternating with marl-limestone formations rich in oyster fossils. These exceptional terroirs give the wines their hallmark minerality. The vines, averaging 25 years of age, are planted at high density—between 5,500 and 6,500 vines per hectare—promoting concentration and grape quality.

The Vintage

The 2020 vintage achieved excellent ripeness while preserving balanced acidity. Climatic conditions encouraged the grapes’ aromatic and phenolic development, offering a remarkable balance between richness and freshness—the hallmark of great Chablis vintages.

Winemaking and Aging

The Chablis 1er Cru "Fourchaume" 2020 harvest is carried out by hand. After the musts are received, they undergo cold static settling, allowing for natural clarification. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, partly in stainless-steel vats and partly in oak barrels. The wine then completes malolactic fermentation before aging for around 12 months on fine lees, split between tanks and barrels. This approach develops aromatic complexity and texture while preserving the distinctive mineral purity of the terroir.

Grape Variety

100% chardonnay