The pinnacle of the Chablis application is that of the Grand Crus. Just one hillside NorthEast of Paris show 7 plots of land on the hillside highlighting Chardonnay in all its glory.
Chablis Grand Crus (105 Hectares or 105 Rugby fields )
In recent years Chablis has endured a mixed love affair with its consumers. The 80’s and 90’s in Australia and USA put paid to the fact that over oaked whites was the way ahead. Little did those two countries realise that the image of that time was to stay until this very day. Most consumers still think there is a link between those days of big oak and the present day. As a result chardonnay is perceived as the least liked grape. Some of the best white wines are chardonnays as they offer diversity balance and elegance. Chardonnay cannot be ignored !
So in the last of 4 parts. Chablis Grand Cru is explained.
Chablis Grand Cru
The Chablis Grand Cru appellation comprises seven Climats(or areas) :
Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur, and Vaudésir.
It is mainly produced in the village of Chablis, but also at Fyé and Poinchy.
CHARACTER OF THE WINES
A greenish-gold appearance and with age changes to a light yellow. Can keep for 10 to 15 years, One the nose, the mineral aromas of flint
are intense. They nonetheless give way to linden
,
nuts,
a hint of honey
and almonds.
The Fairy Ring or mousseron mushroom aroma
is a typical touch.
On the palate, the balance is perfect between liveliness and body, encapsulating the charm of an inimitable and authentic wine. The jewel in the crown of Chablis is a wine rich in nuances that finds expression through each individual area.
LOCATION
Chablis Grand Cru can be found in the commune of Chablis and on the right bank of the Serein, the little river which runs through the region to the northeast of the village, and is at an elevation of between 100 and 250 meters. Enjoying an excellent sunny location, the Chablis Grand Cru appellation is unique. It is spread over seven Climats, whose names feature on the labels, each with a distinct character as the Chardonnay demonstrates its wonderful variations:
Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur and Vaudésir.
TERROIR
The terroirs, formed in the Upper Jurassic era, (150 million years ago), are composed of limestone and marl with tiny oyster fossils. Chablis Grand Cru is one of the rare French AOC wines to make reference to its geology, notably the Kimmeridgian age. The origins of which are in the Dorset villige of Kimmeridge
In Burgundy each Grand Cru vineyard has its own appellation. In Chablis Grand Cru there is only one vineyard but 7 plots
The total production surface area is 105.79 Ha
Area in production*:
1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m² or 1 HA is 1x Internationally sized rugby field
Total area = 105.79 ha.
Blanchot: 12.39 ha. 12 x Rugby fields
Bougros: 15.79 ha. 15 x Rugby fields
Les Clos: 28.39 ha. 28 x Rugby fields
Grenouilles: 9.38 ha. 9 x Rugby fields
Preuses: 11.43 ha. 11 x Rugby fields
Valmur: 11.04 ha. 11 x Rugby fields
Vaudésir: 14.49 ha. 14 x Rugby fields
Blanchots
Characteristics : Delicate and floral white flowers with little or no oak (especially Benoit Droin) SE Grand Cru location with a steep slope on white soil. Its setting makes it well positioned for good air flow and the sun is lost mid afternoon making it a cooler site than the other 6. This makes the wine have more finesse rather than power Typical characteristics is White flowers
some producers don’t use wood (Benoit Droin) and some producers use Blanchot as the only Cru to mature in Oak (although very small in numbers )
Bougros
Lower on the slope and therefore more at risk of frost. NW location of the Grand Crus. The character is Big soft and round. Only Fevre’s Cote de Bougerots shows minerality
of chablis . as the rest are too low on the slope and can be unpredictable.
Les Clos
arguably the finest of the 7 areas. Situated on the right of the vineyard. Those vines at the bottom of the Les Clos plot are situated in deeper earth than this at the top of Les Clos. This results in fatter wines. Firm and austere racy minerality elegant
Les grenouilles.
Situated next to the road that runs at the base of the grand crus part of the steep slope of grenouilles plateaus out. This is where there is deeper soil. It is this deep soil that wines are richer and heavier as opposed to the mineral wines on the slope
Les Preuses
Sits above bougros on a gentle slope and deeper topsoil, has fractured rock formation so has good drainage . Wines are not that aromatic but do age well .. Preuses is not an area different from all the others it sits in the shadow of Vaudesir (especially the producer Dauvissat) Some areas retain heat better than other whilst the rest is on a lower slope and as a result is at risk of Frost
.
Valmur
space between grenouilles and les Clos . The climate is important here. It beciomes very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter . This is because it sits in a valley and the cool air cannot dissapate. The reult is less aroma but with more body
Vaudesir
The valley is enclosed with little air circulation so intense summer heat but it is more elegant and more floral than others. It is regard as second best (behind Les Clos.) Always retaining there minerality and the intense richness of fruit
Pinson 2010 ,Chardonnay £45 each Berry Bros
2012 Chanson, £50 each Millesima
(label representative of producer)
Ravenau 1990 Chablis Grand Crus $1350 Rare wine Company
Every wine critic has there favourite plot not down to exclusivity or price or demand from consumers. But from the mere fact that each plot has different characteristics it is for the consumer to choose. Go for what you like and let people know what you want. Don’t stand on ceremony don’t feel like you are acting like a fool. Passionate people want to help you they don’t want to ridicule you. Embrace people’s desire to make you learn. Without it you won’t enjoy it as much. Go for it. !!!
Any questions please email me. contact thegrapewizard !
See list below for producers in Chablis
- Maison Bessin Jean-Claude – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Besson – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Bichot Albert – Ville : 21200 BEAUNE
- Domaine Billaud-Simon – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Bouchard Ainé & Fils – Ville : 21200 BEAUNE
- Domaine Bouchard Pascal – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Bouchard Pascal – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Brocard Jean-Marc – Ville : 89800 PREHY
- Caveau Brocard Jean-Marc – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Buisson Charles – Ville : 21190 MEURSAULT
- Domaine Camu Christophe – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Carré – Ville : 89310 NOYERS
- Charlène et Laurent Pinson – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Charly Nicolle – Ville : 89800 FLEYS
- Maison Colin Seguin – Ville : 21700 NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES
- Domaine Collet Jean et Fils – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Courtault Jean Claude – Ville : 89800 LIGNORELLES
- Caves Dauvissat Jean et Sébastien – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Dauvissat Vincent – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Davenne Clotilde – Les Temps Perdus – Ville : 89800 PREHY
- Domaine De Oliveira Lecestre – Ville : 89800 FONTENAY-PRES-CHABLIS
- Domaine de Perdrycourt – Ville : 89230 MONTIGNY-LA-RESLE
- Château de Viviers – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Defaix Bernard – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Defaix Daniel-Etienne – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine de la Ferme du Château – Ville : 89700 VIVIERS
- Domaine des Malandes – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Fourrey – Ville : 89800 MILLY
- Domaine Droin Jean-Paul & Benoît – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Drouhin Joseph – Ville : 21200 BEAUNE
- Domaine Dublere – Ville : 21200 BEAUNE
- Domaine Fevre Nathalie & Gilles – Ville : 89800 FONTENAY-PRES-CHABLIS
- Domaine Gautherin Raoul et Fils – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Geoffroy Alain – Ville : 89800 BEINE
- Domaine Gérard Duplessis – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Gruhier Dominique – Ville : 89700 EPINEUIL
- La Cave du Connaisseur – Antunes Matthieu – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- La Chablisienne – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Laffay Hervé – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Laffay Thierry – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Lamblin et fils – Ville : 89800 MALIGNY
- Domaine Laroche – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Lavantureux Roland – Ville : 89800 LIGNORELLES
- Domaine Long-Depaquit – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Louis Michel & Fils – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Lupé – Cholet – Ville : 21700 NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES
- Domaine Moreau Christian Père et Fils – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Moreau Louis – Ville : 89800 BEINE
- Domaine Mothe Guy et ses Fils – Domaine du Colombier – Ville : 89800 FONTENAY-PRES-CHABLIS
- Moutard-Diligent – Ville : 89700 MOLOSMES
- Domaine Pinson – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Race Denis – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Raveneau François – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Regnard – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Robin Guy et Fils – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Romane / Oroncio – Ville : 21700 VOSNE-ROMANEE
- Domaine Roy Raymond et Claude – Ville : 89800 FONTENAY-PRES-CHABLIS
- Samuel Billaud – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Savary – Ville : 89800 MALIGNY
- Domaine Seguinot-Bordet – Ville : 89800 MALIGNY
- Domaine Servin – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Simonnet-Febvre – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Testut – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Tremblay Gérard – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Maison Tricon – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Vignoble Vignoble Dampt – Ville : 89700 COLLAN
- Domaine Vocoret et Fils – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS
- Domaine Vrignaud – Ville : 89800 FONTENAY-PRES-CHABLIS
- Domaine William Fevre – Ville : 89800 CHABLIS