2013 Louis Michel Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent

Louis Michel

France / Chablis / Louis Michel

The Fourchaume vineyard is spread over 3km, with another small area in the valley where the Grand Crus are found. Vaulorent, this small enclave among the Grand Crus is where we planted just under one acre of Fourchaume vines in 1963.
Terroir:
Kimmeridgian. Limestone pebbles closed in clay texture, marl and oyster fossils. Relatively deep soil.
Grape/Vine:
100% Chardonnay. Average of the vines
50 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.

August, 2014

Antonio Galloni

Vinous Media

90-92 points

The 2013 Chablis Fourchaume (Vaulorent) is one of the more intensely mineral wines in the range. The heavy presence of clay in this site confers breadth and power, but at the same time, persistent veins of minerality are impossible to miss. Today, the 2013 is very, very tight. I can hardly wait to taste it again next year. This right bank site is right next to Preuses. Readers should be aware that this wine is sold as Vaulorent in France and Fourchaume in all other markets. The wine is the same.

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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.