Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre Domaine
The vintage
The beginning of the year was marked by very little rainfall, particularly in February. After a mild winter, budburst occurred around 25 March, 8 days earlier than the average for the last 20 years. At the beginning of April, frost episodes as low as -4°C were recorded in Chablis without causing any damage. May continued to be cool, with a hailstorm on the 8th and cold mornings (0 to 2°C) accompanied by strong winds around mid-May. The weather began to warm up from 22 May onwards, and the first flowers appeared at the beginning of June in the Grands Crus. The summer that followed was hot and dry, with several heatwaves. The old vines with well-established root systems fared better than the younger plants, which suffered from the weather conditions. Rain did not arrive until the end of the harvest. The harvest began on 11 September in very hot weather. The grapes were a lovely golden colour, rather small, with excellent ripeness and good acidity.
Location
An appellation of 43 hectares on the right bank of the Serein, extending from the Grands Crus Les Clos and Blanchot. With a geological structure similar to the Grands Crus and a very good exposure, this terroir ranks among the greatest of the Premiers Crus.
Terroir
With a soil composed of white stones, low in gravel and shallow, similar to the Grands Crus, and a beautiful exposure, this terroir is among the best of the Premier Crus. Our plots cover 2.24 hectares oriented southeast, south, and west, located in the lieux-dits Pied d’Aloue, Chapelot, and Côte de Bréchain.
Winemaking
Application of the principle of gravity to avoid any pumping, which could alter the quality of the wine. Short-duration pneumatic pressing (1h30 to 2h00) for a delicate separation between the solid and liquid parts of the grapes. Very light static settling to retain enough fine lees for the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations to occur naturally. The vinifications are carried out in stainless steel vats. Aging lasts 19 months, including 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels for 35% of the blend. The aging process finishes in small stainless steel tanks.
Grapes
Tasting
Complex bouquet with floral and fruity aromas and intense mineral notes.
Robust palate in its youth, evolving towards subtlety and elegance after a few years.
