Chablis premier cru fourchaume 2022 (La Chablisienne)

Cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant before serving. Fourchame is an agreeable and dainty Chardonnay, opening with a pleasant nose of apple, pear, citrus rind, white flowers, and vanilla spice. It takes its name from a Premier Cru vineyard in Chablis, situated on the right bank of the Serein River with its feet in clayish limestone soil. La Chablisienne is the unsung hero of the famous Burgundy region and has played a hugely important role in the formation of the Chablis style. It began life about a century ago, as a growers cooperative. However, since the 1950s, it has been a fully fledged winery, fermenting, bottling, and selling grapes, straight from the source. They offer a stunning range of over 30 vintages, each capturing a different aspect of Chablis. Fourchaume expresses a full-bodied yet delicate side of the region. Notes of ripe pear, green apple, and quince mesh with sharper hints of lemon zest. The wine spent about a year ageing on the lees in oak barrels, imparting woody, structural notes of vanilla and crème brûlée. And of course, there are distinctive regional hints of minerality on the finish, adding tension and finesse. Consider pairing this Chablis with a creamy dessert, ravioli, or a vegetable risotto.