Product Description:
Fourchaume is the most famous of the Chablis Premiers Crus. As the hillside is an extension of the Grands Crus, it benefits from the same exposure as the latter (south-west exposure), enabling excellent ripeness even in difficult vintages. The wine's extreme roundness is perfectly matched by the minerality typical of Chablis wines.
Maker:
The domaine was started by Fabien Dauvissat's great grandfather, Alphonse, in La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, and developed by his son Jean who married a girl from Milly and who began to develop domaine bottling. Their son Philippe preferred selling in bulk to bottle, but Fabien Dauvissat has reversed that trend since his arrival at the domaine in 2009. Domaine Jean Dauvissat Pere & Fils are known to produce Chablis that are rich, with the perfect balance between minerality and fruit. Using no oak, the wines are aged for a considerable time in modern stainless steel tanks before being bottled, so they have time to develop. Apart from two cuvees which see oak, the wines are fermented in stainless steel for preserve the integrity of site, then it's bottled after 18 months for village Chablis or two years for the crus.
Vineyard:
The estate covers just over 23 hectares, spread over seven communes in the Chablis region (La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, Milly, Chablis, Beines, Lignorelles, Villy and Maligny). The origins of the estate date back to the union of Christiane and Jean, who both owned Family vineyards in the communes of Milly and La Chapelle Vaupelteigne respectively in the 1950s. The estate then expanded in the 80s with the arrival of Christiane and Jean's son Philippe, and today includes 55 parcels, comprising 1 Ha 40 of Petit Chablis, 18 Ha of Chablis and 4 Ha 30 of Chablis Premiers Crus.
No shortcuts from vineyard to bottle. Fabien began to plough the vineyards from 2012 (all of them by 2014), trials with natural yeasts started from 2015 (all the cellar from 2017), stopped using enzymes in 2016. He starting organic farming from 2014 (with a hiatus during the difficult 2016 vintage), with certification from 2022 and many vineyards also being managed along biodynamic principles. All the vineyards are now hand harvested.
Every decision made in the vineyard pays homage to the distinctive terroir of the site. With this legacy in their hands, Fabien owns the responsibility to nurture it, to ensure it thrives for generations to come.
Tasting Note:
Nose - Lemon Verbena, Fresh Pears, Salty Ocean Breeze
Gentle aromas of lemon verbena, fresh pears and melon intertwine with baby's breath flowers, acacia, salty ocean breeze and stone.
Palate - White Peach, Lemongrass, Crush Shells
An abundance of white peach, lemongrass, chervil, fresh hay, broken seashell and flaky sea salt coats the palate.
Finish - Chalk, Lemon, Flaky Sea Salt
A delicious expression with intense minerality and dry extract that lingers on the long finish.
Gentle aromas of lemon verbena, fresh pears and melon intertwine with baby's breath flowers, acacia, salty ocean breeze and stone. An abundance of white peach, lemongrass, chervil, fresh hay, broken seashell and flaky sea salt coats the palate. A delicious expression with intense minerality and dry extract that lingers on the long finish. - Anna-Christina Cabrales
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - France
Region - Chablis
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%
