White Still Wine | France | Burgundy | Chablis | 75cl
£36.95
/
£221.70
£210.62 case
ABV: 13%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Sub-Region: Chablis
Wine Style: Crisp and Dry White
Grape: Chardonnay
Julie Fevre “The mild winter is similar to recent years; with nevertheless a very hot last week of March, hence a very early budburst. Then, at the beginning of April, severe frosts on the nights of April 6 to 9. This led to very significant damage and variability in maturation. Indeed, the month of May is cool and rainy; the vine does not grow (it "vegetates") for more than a month, so flowering is late and difficult, which worries us.Summer is also cool and wet; veraison therefore takes place late with the development of a few diseases. The start of the harvest is September 19; we do a meticulous sorting. The lack of heat prevents the degradation of malic acid so we have a fairly high total acidity and a fairly low sugar content. The wines thus regain the typical Chablis character, quite fresh with citrus notes (profile highly appreciated by Chablis lovers!) – but the volume is very very low (-70 to -80% harvest). This vintage is therefore historically low in volume, but classic in its profile."
South-west facing vines, planted between 1966 and 1975, abutting Les Preuses, at the southern tip of Fourchaume. Vinified in 85% stainless steel tanks and 15% 500ltr and 228ltr oak barrels (half new).
The growing season of 2021 presented numerous challenges, including frost, rain, mildew, rot, and hail. We were initially hesitant about the potential quality of the vintage, given these adverse conditions. However, upon tasting the wines, we were pleasantly surprised to find that they had gained depth and weight since the spring. Our tasting notes consistently highlighted bright, fresh, pure, delicate, perfumed, and energetic characteristics, with distinct terroir differences.
One of the growers mentioned that in the past, one in every five vintages was a "hot" year, while currently, the reverse is true, with one in five vintages being a "cool" year. A mild winter and warm March led to early vine growth, with budbreak occurring in April. However, the region was hit by a severe frost that affected even the sloped areas, which are typically spared in spring frosts. The frost caused the vines to shut down for about three weeks, leading to reduced yields, particularly in the Cote du Beaune, which saw a reduction of 65-80%, while the Cote du Nuit experienced a 50% reduction.
Disease pressure grew in the vineyards during the cooler and wet early summer, with mildew and odium further diminishing the yield. The month preceding harvest brought dry and warm weather, which greatly aided the harvest. Harvest took place in mid-September, a full month later than in 2020. Alexandrine Roy shared the following image, to demonstrate the high quality of grapes, with patient and thorough sorting both in the vineyard and at the sorting table.
The use of new oak varied significantly in 2021, with some growers opting for no new oak. It was difficult for some growers who make wines in small amounts to keep the usual ratios of oak, as the quantities were so small. Whole bunch use was lower than usual for the red wines, as growers sought to avoid extracting bitterness from unripe stems. Pump overs were used more frequently than punch downs. Experienced growers, who took their foot off the pedal and expressed what the vintage gave them succeeded.
The small yields of 2021 resulted in naturally concentrated wines, with the whites exhibiting intense citrus and floral aromas, and the reds displaying bright, light bodies and lovely perfumes. Both the white and red wines are highly seductive and ready to drink straight from the barrel. Due to the low yields, prices have increased. Allocating these wines will be difficult, but we are fortunate to have the excellent 2022 vintage in both yield and quality to follow.
