Thomas Labille – Chablis – 2022

Description

PRODUCER NOTE:
Thomas Labille is an accomplished winemaker based in the heart of Chablis, where he creates eponymous cuvées bearing all the hallmarks of top-quality Chablis. The domaine was founded in 1987 and at that time covered just 11 hectares of vine and 80 hectares of cereal. By 1992, the estate had abandoned cereal production and focussed on producing quality wine. Significant investments took place in the winery and the estate flourished, producing award-winning wines. In 2019, Thomas Labille took over the reins, with his natural flair for winemaking and following a philosophy for sustainable viticulture, his cuvées are expressive, beautifully balanced and show wonderful Chablis typicity. The estate is HVE certified.

VINTAGE:
Following the challenging 2021, the 2022 was a warm vintage which thankfully presented good yields. After a milder and drier-than-usual winter, the spring frosts made a reappearance at the end of March. However, the extent of the damage was not comparable to 2021. The exceptionally warm spring with high temperatures in May encouraged vegetation and flowering took place at the end of May under excellent conditions. Summer was hot and dry, resulting in healthy vineyards and excellent maturation with great balance between alcohol and acidity at harvest.

VINEYARD:
The Chardonnay vines are planted on hillside plots, with free-draining soils, upon a Kimmeridgian clay-limestone subsoil, which is renowned for imparting the characteristic elegance and minerality to Chablis wines. The climate is continental, with cold winters allowing the vine to rest and the sap to descend and warm summers, encouraging the grapes to ripen. The vines are trained according to traditional methods and are sustainably farmed; the estate is certified HVE, which officially recognises the environmental performance of winegrowers, including biodiversity conservation, plant protection strategies, managed fertiliser use and water resource management.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were carefully selected to ensure only the highest quality fruit was vinified. Fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats, with selected yeasts. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was matured on its fine lees lasting six to eight months, before being gently fined and filtered prior to bottling. This cuvée was produced in an unoaked style to showcase the purity of the fruit and the nuances of the terroir.

TASTING NOTE:
Showing all the hallmarks of classic Chablis, with lively citrus fruits layered with mineral overtones. Crisp, and bone dry with a lovely supple texture through to a bright, fresh finish.

GRAPE:
Chardonnay 100%.

COUNTRY:
France

REGION:
Burgundy

SUB-REGION:
Chablis