Premier Cru Vaulorent 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
Appellation of 17 hectares on the right bank of the Serein, in the exact continuation of the Grands Crus slope, separated by a simple path from the Grand Cru Les Preuses, the appellation produces powerful and mineral wines.
Terroir
Marl with fairly deep soils. The plots cover 3.63 hectares, representing 21.35% of the Vaulorent appellation, oriented from southeast to southwest.
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. The vinifications are carried out in stainless steel vats. Aging lasts 19 months, including 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels for 40% of the blend. The aging process finishes in small stainless steel tanks.
Tasting
Powerful nose combining citrus aromas and white-fleshed fruit with a typical mineral note of the appellation.
Rich and concentrated, the palate offers remarkable freshness and length.
Grapes
Chardonnay
: 100 %