AUSTRALIA WIDE SHIPPING INCLUDED
History
The most recent list of Chablis premier crus was established in 1986. Seventy-nine place names were listed there covering an area of some 700 hectares. The winegrowers of Chablis organized these into 17 “umbrella” vineyards. The vines are planted along the valley of the Serein river in the communes of Chablis, Fontenay, Maligny, Chichée, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, Courgis, Fleys and Beines
Origin
Like Chablis appellation, the main bedrock comes from the Jurassic epoch, or more precisely the Kimmeridgean age (150 million years ago). The 34 hectares of the Mont de Milieu “umbrella” vineyard are located on the right bank of the River Serein in the communes of Fleys and Fyé. It enjoys a geographical situation comparable to those of the grand crus and its south/south-east aspect guarantee extremely good sunshine.
Vinification
– Long pneumatic pressing.
– Static cold settling of the musts.
– Alcoholic fermentation started in stainless-steel, then, after 3 days, racking of around 25% from the juices which were placed in fine-grained barrels. For the other part (75%) the fermentation lasted 10 days in temperature-controlled vats (18-20ºC) to preserve a maximum fruit.
– 100% malolactic fermentation.
– ageing on lees during 12 months.
Tasting Notes
Elegant gold colour.
Very complex nose with notes of white flowers and fruits (peach).
The mouth is unctuous and already open with an explosion of yellow fruits and hazelnut aromas. The finish is long, rich and almost saline.
Food and Wine Pairing
This Premier Cru will perfectly accompany grilled king prawns (gambas), fried scallops, veal dishes or a rosted guinea fowl.
Serving Suggestions
Ideal served at a temperature of 14°C.
Ageing
From 5 to 10 years.
Vintage : 2016
Vintage 2016 was really rough on us in Burgundy, but it was nothing compared to the living hell we went through in Chablis!
It all started with a mild winter followed by a chilly and rainy spring that lead to a bud bursting in mid-April. We could have settled for that, as we were in the average trend of the 10 previous years. Unfortunately, a first frosting incident in the end of April caused some huge damage in the vineyard. The first assessments estimate that about 20% of the Chablis vineyard was harmed…and if the vines were to grow again, the new vegetation would not bear fruits. The damage even went to the extent of jeopardizing the pruning for the next vintage. It was a hard blow to take, and the gloomy weather that seemed to settle didn’t help much: the growth slowed down and the vegetative cycle started running late. And as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours…a second frosting incident causes new damage in the vineyard, leading to increased gaps in the development of the plots. Then, in mid-May, a hail storm comes in line and hit strongly the north of Chablis.
As if this was not already bad enough, a second hail storm hit the south of Chablis as well as a part of Auxerrois. Still, a rainy weather prevents the vines to grow as expected and also generates mildew attacks.
In spite of everything, the flowering occurs in mid-June in an unhealthy climate where mildew causes real damage in the development of the grapes. In August, the extremes reversed and hot temperatures settle. Which in a way was very positive as it allowed for a decontamination of the vines, but lasted a bit too much and created sunburns on the left grapes.
Finally, the ripening was quick and harvesting began on September, 26th. The yields are very low and also very variable because of all the weather incident that showered over the vineyard.
Fortunately, the wines – although still in their ageing period – are already full of fruit, very pleasing and well balanced.
