2011 Louis Michel Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos

Louis Michel

France / Chablis / Louis Michel

Located half-way up the hillside, in the heart of the vineyard, our 1.2-acre parcel is split into two: one half was planted in 1967 and the other replanted in 2000.
Terroir:
Kimmeridgian. Limestone pebbles encased in a clay texture, marl with oyster fossils. Relatively deep soil with plenty of limestone. Very steep hillside.
Grape & Vine:
100% Chardonnay. Vines aged about 40 years.
Vinification:
Long fermentation using natural yeast, in temperature-regulated tank. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation.
Maturation:
On fine lees for at least 16 months, only in stainless steel tanks and with as little manipulation as possible. Long stabilisation at controlled, low temperatures. Fining if necessary using bentonite. One light filtration is performed before bottling at the winery.

August, 2013

Antonio Galloni

Vinous Media

94 points

A wine of pure density and impact, the 2011 Chablis Les Clos is super-impressive. An inward, powerful and intense wine, the 2011 is going to require considerable patience to fully come together. In a vintage in which so many wines are approachable young, the 2011 Clos is anything but that. Today, it is one of the most reticent wines of the vintage. I am deeply intrigued to see how this huge, structured Chablis develops over the coming years. This is another 2011 that has turned out beautifully.

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About Louis Michel

The Michel family have been cultivating their passion for tradition and the Chablis terroir since 1850. The winery is situated in the heart of the village, with the 25-hectare vineyard spread over the very first slopes that were discovered by Cistercian monks in the 11th century. Forty years ago, the family decided to stop making the wine in wooden barrels, preferring to create clean, pure and precise Chablis without adding artificial woody tastes. Through this philosophy, combined with the limited yields inspired by organic winegrowing techniques, the domaine has developed a worldwide reputation for fine winemaking in stainless steel tanks. Today it’s Guillaume Michel who upholds the family tradition and further its reputation.

About

Guillaume Michel is the sixth-generation representative of a family which has been making wine since 1850. He was recently handed the reins by his uncle Jean-Loup Michel. Their philosophy is to impart as little interference as possible, with the two principal ambitions being to respect the environment and to reflect the terroir in their wines.