Chablis 1er Cru La Fourchaume AOC 2022

Wine Description for Chablis 1er Cru La Fourchaume AOC 2022 from de l’Enclos

Colour & Appearance

Pale straw yellow with brilliant clarity – a Chablis straight from the textbook, radiant and transparent in the glass.

Nose

Here the full elegance of the Premier Cru vineyard site reveals itself: lemon and orange blossom meet chamomile tea and that unmistakable Chablis signature of wet slate and salty oyster shells. These are joined by green apple, a hint of lemon sponge cake, fresh fennel fronds and surprisingly salted popcorn – complex, multi-layered, fascinating.

Palate

Uncompromising and direct: this wine takes no prisoners. With explosive extract and gripping phenolics, it displays a grip that is second to none. The acidity is the backbone, taut and precise, whilst the density positively impregnates the palate. This is Premier Cru with Grand Cru ambitions – powerful, yet never clumsy, but carried by fine structure.

Finish

Long, mineral-driven, with lingering chalk-salt notes and a freshness that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The La Fourchaume is one of the most renowned Premier Cru vineyard sites in Chablis. Domaine de l’Enclos manages 1.27 hectares here across three neighbouring parcels with pure westerly exposure in La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne. Vines from the 1960s, 80s and 90s on classic Kimmeridgian limestone soil lend this wine its characteristic minerality.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chardonnay, as befits Chablis – vinified in a purist, terroir-driven manner by Romain and Damien Bouchard, who command a total of three Grand Cru and seven Premier Cru vineyard sites.

Food Pairing Recommendations

An ideal companion to oysters, turbot in oyster butter with potato risotto, cheese fondue or quail wrapped in bacon. The acidity and minerality harmonise perfectly with shellfish and creamy cheese dishes.

Special Characteristics

Grand Cru performance at Premier Cru prices – a wine that demonstrates what was possible in this vintage. Already impressive in its youth, but with potential for further development.