$67.99
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Region: Chablis, France
Grape: Chardonnay
First Glance: Classic, stoney and elegant
Chantemerle is a staunchly traditionalist Chablis producer, run by current-generation winemaker François Boudin. The mantra here is strictly no oak, new, old or otherwise, leaving terroir as the absolute driving factor of style. Natural yeast fermentations and ageing is carried out in stainless steel and cement containers, and gentle lees-work lend structure and definition to the wines.
Fourchaume is a large and iconic right-bank Premier Cru, with its west/southwest slopes often giving wines of relative richness and generosity.
Due to frost, yields across the region in 2021 were some of the lowest in living memory, so naturally volumes are very limited. The quality of what made it through, however, was excellent.
The Best Cellars View:
Again a classically leaner expression of Chablis, and very much in line with that signature stripped-back nature of the Chantemerle range. The Fourchaume heads towards a slightly riper fruit spectrum, adding softer notes of nectarine and mirabelle to the citrus-driven zestiness and life-giving sea spray freshness. A medium-bodied expression on the palate, with more of that wet stone and oyster shell minerality, and a slight textural dimension on the finish.
