La Chablisienne : Chablis 1er cru "Les Lys" 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for La Chablisienne’s Chablis Premier Cru "Les Lys" 2019

Tasting

Color

Pale gold, bright and clear, the wine is enhanced by delicate silvery highlights.

Nose

Expressive and concentrated, the nose reveals aromas of white-fleshed fruits, notably peach and pear, alongside subtle vanilla notes. With aeration, the bouquet gains fresh, saline mineral nuances reminiscent of limestone, complemented by touches of acacia and lightly toasted brioche.

Palate

The attack is broad and straightforward, carried by lovely freshness. The mineral, saline structure gives the wine remarkable tension and a crisp character. White-fleshed fruit aromas linger on the palate, balanced by an elegant acidity. The very long finish extends with mineral notes and toasted dried fruits, reflecting excellent aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Premier Cru "Les Lys" 2019 is an ideal match for pan-seared scallops, lemon chicken, or a cheese platter featuring aged goat cheese, Chaource, or Beaufort. It also pairs perfectly with fish in a light sauce or tartare-style preparations.

Serving and cellaring

Chablis Premier Cru "Les Lys" 2019 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 13°C. It is recommended to let the wine aerate for a few minutes in a decanter or in the glass to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

A Chablis Premier Cru true to the hallmark minerality of its appellation

The estate

Founded on May 1, 1923 at the initiative of Abbé Balitrand, La Chablisienne is today one of France’s most important wine cooperatives. It brings together around three hundred partner winegrowers who cultivate 1,250 hectares of vines across the Chablis region. This emblematic terroir of Burgundy enables the cellar to produce wines of great finesse. Under the leadership of Damien Leclerc since 2008, the cooperative has stood out for its commitment to quality and sustainable development. La Chablisienne notably oversees nearly twelve hectares of Grands Crus and ninety-seven hectares of Premiers Crus spread across more than eighteen distinct climats. Internationally recognized, it was honored in 2014 when its head winemaker Estelle Roux received the title of White Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge.

The vineyard

The Chablis Premier Cru "Les Lys" comes from plots located on the left bank of the Serein, in the commune of Chablis, adjacent to the climat Vaillons. The vines benefit from a northeast exposure on clay-limestone soils of mid and upper Kimmeridgian type, characterized by alternating limestone and marls rich in Exogyra virgula oyster fossils. These terroirs give the wine its distinctive minerality. The plots are planted at a density of around 5,500 to 6,500 vines per hectare, with vines averaging twenty-five years old at the time of the 2019 harvest.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage was overall favorable, with satisfactory heat accumulation, a balanced distribution of rainfall, and no major damage from frost or disease. These conditions made it possible to obtain grapes at optimal ripeness, fully expressing the character of the terroir.

Vinification and aging

After harvest, Chablis Premier Cru "Les Lys" 2019 underwent cold static settling to clarify the must. Alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation took place in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and oak barrels. The wine was then aged on fine lees for twelve months in these same vessels, allowing it to develop aromatic complexity and texture while preserving its signature freshness.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay