2016 Chablis, Fourchaume, 1er Cru, Le Domaine d'Henri, Burgundy

Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or. Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.

Winemaking in La Fourchaume, a prestigious Premier Cru vineyard in Chablis, involves meticulous processes to capture the essence of its terroir. The southeast-facing slope ensures optimal sun exposure for the Chardonnay grapes. The Kimmeridgian limestone soils with fossils contribute distinct mineral flavours. Stainless steel fermentation preserves freshness, while ageing highlights the grape's natural attributes.

Ancestors of the Laroche family owned vines in Chablis as long ago as 1695. Today, with Michel Laroche as patriarch, they are among the most respected winemaking dynasties in all of France. Michel has steered a wise yet bold path since his first vintage in 1967. In 2010, he sold the family’s stake in Domaine Laroche in order to establish a new, smaller, quality-oriented domaine, which he would name after his father, Henri. The winery at Domaine d’Henri may have been constructed from scratch, but a significant proportion of the domaine’s holdings is venerable. Of particular note are the 80-year-old vines in the Premier Cru Fourchaume vineyard, which produce the fruit for their Héritage cuvée. The domaine is currently converting to organic viticulture, while the objective in the winery is to allow each different terroir to express itself. Each parcel is therefore vinified separately, using only natural yeast. Between 10 and 35% of any given wine is aged in barrel depending on the vintage and cuvée – just the right amount to highlight, rather than mask, the startling purity of the domaine’s wines. Michel’s daughter Margaux, who shares her father’s dynamism, is increasingly responsible for the commercial side of the business.