Domaine Nathalie & Gilles Fevre Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume 2023《ZTF300》

THE ESTATE'S VINEYARDS COVER A TOTAL OF 50 HECTARES, INCLUDING 33 HECTARES IN CHABLIS, 1.5 HECTARES IN PETIT CHABLIS, 12.7 HECTARES IN PREMIER CRU, AND 2.3 HECTARES IN GRAND CRU. THE VINEYARDS ARE SPREAD OVER A WIDE AREA, ENJOYING EXCELLENT TERROIR CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE PREMIER CRU AND GRAND CRU VINEYARDS. THESE CONDITIONS NOT ONLY PROVIDE THE VINES WITH THE NECESSARY WATER AND NUTRIENTS, BUT ALSO IMPART A SUBTLE MINERALITY TO THE GRAPES. THE SOILS OF THE PREMIER CRU VINEYARDS ARE TYPICAL KIMMERIDGIEN SOILS, RICH IN MINERALS AND WITH SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF LIMESTONE AND CHALK. THE VINEYARDS ARE SITUATED ON A GENTLY SLOPED, SUNNY SOUTHERN LOCATION, IDEALLY ABSORBING SUNLIGHT AND HEAT.

Winemaking

FURTHERMORE, DURING THE WINEMAKING AND MATURATION PROCESS, THE WINERY ALLOWS THE WINE TO REMAIN IN FULL CONTACT WITH ITS LEES FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS, DEVELOPING COMPLEX AROMAS SUCH AS BREAD AND BISCUITS, AND ENHANCING THE WINE'S SMOOTHNESS AND TEXTURE. THE WINERY MATURES 15% OF THE WINE IN OAK BARRELS, WHILE THE REMAINDER IS AGED IN TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED STAINLESS STEEL TANKS. THE TWO ARE THEN BLENDED BEFORE BOTTLING. TO ENSURE THE QUALITY AND TASTE OF THE WINE, THE WINERY PAYS CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WINE'S STORAGE ENVIRONMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, STORING THE WINE IN A TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED CELLAR UNTIL SHIPMENT.

FOUCHAUME IS A RENOWNED PREMIER CRU IN CHABLIS. ITS EAST-FACING VINEYARDS ARE BATHED IN MORNING SUNLIGHT, ALLOWING THE SOIL TO WARM QUICKLY AFTER THE COOL NIGHTS, AIDING GRAPE RIPENING. THE SOIL IS KIMMERIDGIAN LIMESTONE, A PRIME EXAMPLE OF CHABLIS. THE VINES ARE 30 TO 80 YEARS OLD AND AGED ON THEIR LEES FOR 12 MONTHS IN STAINLESS STEEL TANKS, RATHER THAN OAK.

CLEAN, POWERFUL FRUIT AND MINERAL AROMAS, WITH NOTES OF GREEN APPLE, GRAPEFRUIT, AND YELLOW LEMON, INTERSPERSED WITH HINTS OF SEA SALT AND A SAVORY MINERALITY. THE PALATE IS PENETRATING AND POWERFUL, WITH BRIGHT ACIDITY. THE FRUIT AND MINERALITY LINGER ON THE PALATE, LEAVING A LONG, RICH FINISH.

Rating

Vinous 91

The 2023 Chablis Fourchaume ler Cru has an understated nose, yet aeration revealsattractive crushed limestone and oyster shell scents wrapped around Granny Smith and peararomas. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity that is necessary becausethere is real weight and fatness to this Fourchaume. lt retains admirable delineation on thefinish and lingers nicely in the mouth. Tasted blind at the BlVB offices in Chablis.