Grand Cru Bougros Domaine
The vintage
The beginning of the year was marked by very little rainfall, particularly in February. After a mild winter, budburst occurred around 25 March, 8 days earlier than the average for the last 20 years. At the beginning of April, frost episodes as low as -4°C were recorded in Chablis without causing any damage. May continued to be cool, with a hailstorm on the 8th and cold mornings (0 to 2°C) accompanied by strong winds around mid-May. The weather began to warm up from 22 May onwards, and the first flowers appeared at the beginning of June in the Grands Crus. The summer that followed was hot and dry, with several heatwaves. The old vines with well-established root systems fared better than the younger plants, which suffered from the weather conditions. Rain did not arrive until the end of the harvest. The harvest began on 11 September in very hot weather. The grapes were a lovely golden colour, rather small, with excellent ripeness and good acidity.
Location
The appellation covers 12.62 hectares at the western end of the Grands Crus terroir, at an altitude ranging from 130 to 170 meters, with a southwest orientation. The wines of this appellation always exhibit a very rich and smooth mouthfeel.
Terroir
Rather deep soil of marl and clay, deeper than in "Côte Bouguerots." The plot covers 6.23 hectares, representing 49% of the total appellation, including 4.12 hectares in Bougros.
Winemaking
Application of the principle of gravity to avoid any pumping, which could alter the quality of the wine. Short-duration pneumatic pressing (1.5 to 2 hours) for a delicate separation between the solid and liquid parts of the grapes. Fermentation carried out in stainless steel vats, followed by 19 months of aging in French oak barrels for 30% of the batch, including 6 months on fine lees. The aging process finishes in small stainless steel tanks.
Tasting
Rich bouquet with intense mineral notes.
The palate is ample, round, firm and massive altogether.
Grapes
Chardonnay
: 100 %