Domaine Laroche : Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" 2013

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Chablis Premier Cru "Montmains" 2013 from Domaine Laroche

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a pale yellow hue with green highlights, characteristic of Chablis wines.

Nose

The nose is initially discreet, then gradually opens onto citrus aromas, notably lemon and white grapefruit. Floral notes of white flowers accompany a pronounced minerality evoking flint stone and damp rock. With aeration, subtle herbal touches round out the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine reveals a taut, energetic structure. Flavors of lime and white peach dominate, supported by intense minerality and bright acidity that brings freshness. The texture shows a slight roundness without ever tipping into heaviness. The persistent, saline finish leaves a remarkable mineral impression.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Premier Cru is an ideal match for oysters and seafood, lobster, shellfish, as well as white fish prepared with light lemon sauces or beurre blanc. It also pairs very well with aged cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère.

Serving and cellaring

The Chablis Premier Cru "Montmains" 2013 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now, but it will gain in complexity with a few additional years of cellaring.

A Chablis Premier Cru true to the minerality of Domaine Laroche

The estate

Founded in 1850 by Jean-Victor Laroche, Domaine Laroche grew over several generations to become one of the leading producers in Chablis. In 2010, the estate was acquired by the Advini group. Today, the property spans more than 90 hectares of vines and is led by President Thierry Bellicaud, with Grégory Viennois as Technical Director and Stéphane Barras as Cellar Master. The estate stands out for its commitment to conversion to organic farming and for its ownership of the Obédiencerie, a 9th-century monastery considered the historic cradle of Chablis viticulture.

The vineyard

The Climat Montmains is located on the left bank of the Serein, southwest of Chablis. This Premier Cru benefits from southeast and northeast exposures that offer morning sunshine, but its microclimate remains cool due to constant exposure to the wind. The soil rests on Kimmeridgian marls rich in marine fossils, notably small oysters, which give the wine its characteristic minerality. Domaine Laroche owns 1.46 hectares in this Climat, on a spectacular southeast-facing slope in a wide-open valley. This particular exposure allows for optimal ripening while preserving the hallmark freshness of the Chablis appellation.

The vintage

The 2013 vintage proved particularly challenging in Burgundy. A cool, rainy May, followed by rain and winds during flowering, led to significant shatter. After a brief improvement in September, heavy rainfall in early October complicated ripening. These conditions resulted in exceptionally low yields, often below 35 hectoliters per hectare for the Premiers Crus. At Domaine Laroche, rigorous grape selection was necessary, with harvesting requiring great precision. Despite these challenges, the vintage produced concentrated wines with fine substance.

Winemaking and ageing

Winemaking for the Chablis Premier Cru "Montmains" 2013 was carried out with particular care given the demands of the vintage. The estate performed more stringent settling than usual and opted for relatively extended ageing. Part of the fermentation and ageing took place in French oak barrels, which the estate keeps for around seven years, representing about 14% new oak. This approach brings subtle complexity without masking the expression of the terroir. Fermentation is carried out primarily in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to preserve freshness and aromatic purity.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay