2012 Louis Michel Chablis 1er Cru Forêts

Louis Michel

France / Chablis / Louis Michel

Two parcels, planted 10 years apart make up our "Forêts". Here, solid rock is only a few centimetres underfoot. The minerality brought to the wine is therefore clean, precise and powerful.
Terroir:
Kimmeridgian. Left Bank. Hard limestone in a clay base, very stony, shallow ground.
Grape/Vine:
100% Chardonnay. Average of the vines
40 years.
Vinification:
Long fermentation using natural yeast, in temperature-regulated tank. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation.
Maturation:
On fine lees, only in stainless steel tanks, with as little manipulation as possible, for at least 12 months. Long stabilisation at controlled, low temperatures. Fining if necessary using bentonite. One light filtration is performed before bottling at the estate.

July, 2014

Stephen Tanzer

Vinous Media

91 points

Pale, bright yellow. Highly aromatic nose offers citrus peel, acacia flower and wet stone. At once dense and light on its feet, with a complicating saline minerality intensifying and adding interest to its flavors of white peach, white flowers and gunflint. Finishes classic and long, with a touch of metallic minerality and a lovely light touch. This wine has tightened up since I tried it a year ago from tank. Excellent aging potential here.

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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.