La Chablisienne : Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2013

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for the Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2013 from La Chablisienne

Tasting

Appearance

A pale yellow hue adorns this wine, accented by green highlights.

Nose

The bouquet reveals fine aromatic elegance dominated by notes of white flowers, accompanied by a sensation of mineral freshness characteristic of the terroir.

Palate

On the palate, the wine shows lovely concentration and remarkable intensity, while retaining a taut, mineral character. Floral and buttery nuances emerge as the tasting unfolds.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Premier Cru pairs perfectly with a seafood platter, fresh oysters, delicate white fish with a lemon sauce, or aged cheeses with a creamy paste.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2013 at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2028.

A Chablis Premier Cru true to the mineral expression of its Burgundian terroir

The estate

Founded on May 1, 1923, La Chablisienne is today the leading cooperative of the Chablis appellation. Rooted in Burgundy, it manages nearly 1,250 hectares of vineyards spread across all the region’s appellations. Bringing together around 300 winegrowers, it accounts for approximately 25% of Chablis’ total production. Under the leadership of Damien Leclerc and the oenological expertise of Estelle Roy, appointed in 2023, La Chablisienne has established itself as a benchmark for quality, amassing international awards and upholding a terroir-respectful approach through meticulous parcel-by-parcel winemaking.

The vineyard

The climat Fourchaume is one of the largest Premier Crus in Chablis, covering around 130 hectares. Located on the right bank of the Serein, this terroir benefits from a particularly favorable west and southwest exposure. The soils are made up of brown clay marls resting on the famous Kimmeridgian subsoil, a limestone rock rich in fossilized microscopic oyster shells that gives Chablis wines their signature minerality. This exceptional geology, combined with significant soil depth and excellent natural drainage, makes it possible to produce wines that unite finesse, elegance, and aromatic complexity.

The vintage

The 2013 vintage in Chablis proved particularly late, with harvests carried out in October. The growing season was marked by a cool, rainy May that disrupted flowering, causing coulure and a natural reduction in yields. Despite a fine September, harvested volumes remained limited, with average yields of 34.50 hectoliters per hectare for the Grands Crus. Nevertheless, the quality of the grapes that reached maturity proved excellent, with good alcohol levels and remarkable acidity, allowing for the production of balanced, structured wines.

Vinification and aging

The Chablis 1er cru "Fourchaume" 2013 was vinified in stainless-steel tanks to preserve aromatic purity and fruit freshness. Aging took place over a period of about eighteen months, with part of the wine (around 20%) aged in older oak barrels, the rest remaining in stainless-steel tanks. The wine rested on fine lees without systematic bâtonnage, allowing complexity to develop naturally. This respectful approach avoids any dominant oak influence and favors the pure expression of the Kimmeridgian terroir.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay