Domaine Laroche : Chablis 1er cru "Les Vaudevey" 2011

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chablis 1er cru "Les Vaudevey" 2011 from Domaine Laroche

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a brilliant golden-white hue.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with mineral notes of gunflint and slate, alongside citrus fragrances, notably lemon and orange zest. Aromas of quince, pastry cream and apricot round out the bouquet, while touches of honey and sea spray add an extra dimension to the whole.

Palate

On the palate, this wine captivates with its rich, creamy texture, balanced by medium to high acidity that brings vibrancy and energy. The palate shows remarkable purity, with a mineral, saline freshness that gives structure. The finish lingers elegantly, leaving an impression of tension and dynamism characteristic of great Chablis.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Premier Cru is an ideal match for oysters, enhancing their natural salinity thanks to its mineral character. It also pairs beautifully with delicate seafood, smoked salmon, or a lobster salad seasoned with lemon and coriander. Light cheeses and Asian dishes with citrus notes also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Chablis 1er cru "Les Vaudevey" 2011 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. Its structure and acidity give it a cellaring potential of around fifteen years, allowing it to develop even greater aromatic complexity over time.

An elegant Chablis Premier Cru with pure minerality

The estate

Founded in 1850, Domaine Laroche is among the historic producers of Chablis in Burgundy. Since 2010, the estate has been part of the AdVini group, born from the merger of Michel Laroche’s companies and the Jeanjean family. The estate farms around 90 hectares of vineyards in Chablis, including three Grands Crus and seven Premiers Crus owned outright. Based at the Obédiencerie, a former 9th-century monastery listed as a historic monument, the estate stands out for its environmental commitment, with HVE 3A certification obtained as early as 2016 and the use of biodynamic practices on its Grands Crus. Grégory Viennois has overseen technical management since late 2010.

The vineyard

The Premier Cru Les Vaudevey comes from a climat located on the left bank of Chablis, in a narrow, cool valley. This plot of around ten hectares benefits from a distinctive exposure, receiving sun only in the morning and until mid-afternoon. This configuration creates a cool microclimate that extends grape ripening while preserving high acidity. The soils are composed of clay-limestone marls mixed with the famous Kimmeridgian limestones rich in marine fossils, notably small oysters dating from the Upper Jurassic. These geological characteristics give the wine its distinctive minerality and the hallmark freshness of the Chablis appellation.

The vintage

The 2011 vintage in Bourgogne proved broadly favorable despite complex weather conditions. The growing season presented challenges for winegrowers, but ultimately produced wines marked by fine aromatic concentration and pronounced acidity. In the Chablis area, these conditions were particularly well suited, yielding wines with great freshness and a strong mineral expression—essential qualities for this northern appellation.

Vinification and aging

The Chablis 1er cru "Les Vaudevey" 2011 was crafted using a minimalist approach designed to preserve the authentic expression of the terroir. Vinification favors aromatic purity without excessive use of new oak, allowing the mineral character and the freshness of the climat to fully shine through. This first vinification under the direction of Grégory Viennois reflects his philosophy of respecting the wine’s identity and its terroir of origin.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.