La Chablisienne : Chablis 1er cru "Vaulorent" 2020

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions for La Chablisienne Chablis 1er cru "Vaulorent" 2020

Tasting

Appearance

Pale yellow with golden highlights, this wine impresses with its brilliance.

Nose

The nose opens with fruity aromas reminiscent of pineapple and lemon. With aeration, toasted and grilled notes gradually emerge, adding an extra dimension to the aromatic palette.

Palate

The attack is lively and energetic. The palate reveals lovely density with flavors of citrus and tropical fruits, notably pineapple and lemon, complemented by toasted and grilled touches. The finish stands out for its remarkable length and mineral character.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Chablis 1er cru "Vaulorent" 2020 is best enjoyed as an aperitif. It pairs beautifully with seafood, especially shrimp and plancha-grilled scallops. Sushi and sashimi also make a harmonious match. This wine also goes very well with creamy cheeses such as Comté in a soufflé or Soumaintrain, as well as poultry in a cream sauce.

Serving and Cellaring

Chablis 1er cru "Vaulorent" 2020 is best served between 10 and 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now, but it has the cellaring potential to evolve through around 2035.

A Burgundian Chablis Premier Cru with Mineral Accents

The estate

Founded in 1923 under the impetus of Abbé Balitrand, La Chablisienne is one of France’s most important wine cooperatives. Today it brings together more than 300 member winegrowers and manages around 1,200 hectares of vineyards, representing nearly a quarter of the Chablis appellation. Led by Damien Leclerc as Managing Director, the cooperative stands out for its unique model—introduced in the 1950s—of receiving musts rather than finished wines. This approach allows complete control over the winemaking process and ensures exemplary traceability. The cellar covers all classifications of the appellation, from Petit Chablis to the Grand Crus.

The vineyard

The Vaulorent vineyard spans 4.23 hectares and lies on the right bank of the Serein River, in the commune of Chablis. Ideally positioned immediately adjacent to the Grand Cru Les Preuses, it benefits from an optimal south-west exposure. The vines, averaging 25 to 30 years of age, are planted at a density of 5,500 to 6,500 vines per hectare. The terroir rests on distinctive Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils, made up of alternating marl and limestone enriched with oyster fossils. Altitude ranges from 159 to 216 meters, encouraging natural drainage. These soils give the wine its distinctive minerality and saline notes.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy began with a mild winter followed by early budbreak in March. Episodes of late frost in March, April, and mid-May affected the young shoots, reducing yields by around 20% compared with normal. Summer was marked by intense heatwaves that accelerated ripening while preserving fresh acidity. A mild September helped refine ripeness ahead of harvest under sunny skies. These conditions gave rise to wines in a classic Chablis style, combining pronounced minerality, freshness, and elegance.

Winemaking and aging

Chablis 1er cru "Vaulorent" 2020 is crafted using a rigorous method, beginning with cold static settling before fermentation. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and in oak barrels. Aging lasts around 12 months on fine lees, split between stainless-steel tanks (70%) and 228-liter oak barrels (30%), with up to 40% new oak for the portion aged in barrel. This approach brings structure and complexity while preserving fruit purity and the expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay