Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
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 focused 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 a philosophy of sustainable viticulture. His cuvées are expressive, beautifully balanced, and show wonderful Chablis typicity. The estate is HVE certified.

THE VINTAGE:
The 2022 vintage was marked by intense weather, with heatwaves taking place at various stages of the growth cycle, which accelerated ripening and resulted in an early harvest. The 2022 wines show captivating balance and freshness that will appeal to wine lovers the world over.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The Blanchot Grand Cru climat of Chablis takes its name from the light colour of its soil and subsoil, composed of white limestone and a pale clay-limestone subsoil. The Chardonnay vines are planted on hillside plots, with a south-easterly orientation, and their sun exposure can be somewhat limited. Despite only benefiting from the morning sun before it disappears, Blanchot remains, paradoxically, a warm terroir. Its steep slope and sheltered location result in slow ripening conditions, with a harvest that generally starts well after that of its neighbour, Les Clos. The free-draining soils sit upon a Kimmeridgian clay-limestone subsoil, which is renowned for imparting the characteristic elegance and minerality to the wines. The vines are trained according to the traditional methods. Blanchot is an atypical climat, known as a real eye-catcher. It is slow to mature, similar to a cool terroir; however, it also suggests the great depth of wines from warm terroirs, due to its protected exposure.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
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 12 months, in French oak barrels and stainless-steel vats, resulting in the perfect balance of freshness and complexity. The wine was gently fined and filtered before bottling.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A Grand Cru Chablis of lovely intensity and poise, with floral notes of linden and acacia. Expressive and beautifully balanced on the palate with rich fruits layered with hints of honey and almond.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Chardonnay 100%.