Domaine Laroche Chablis 2015
I have long been an anti-Chardonnay person. It wasn’t really until my introduction to wines from Chablis that I realized why I dislike Chardonnay…and why I love it. But before we get into the Laroche Chablis or my complicated relationship with Chardonnay, what is Chablis exactly?
Chablis is an appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) from the northernmost wine district of the Burgundy region in France. The only allowable grape grown in Chablis (in order to be classified in the AOC) is Chardonnay. Wines in Chablis are nearly always vinified without oak, instead fermented and aged in stainless steel or other neutral containers. They are known for their purity of aroma and taste and are characterized as having aromas of citrus and white flowers, light bodied with zesty acid and flavors of citrus, apple, and pear with a distinctive shell-like minerality and salinity.
So what’s my deal with Chardonnay? When I first started drinking wine my Chardonnay experiences were largely with California wine. American wine makers are gradually moving away the super heavy use of oak but the heavily oaked, buttery, burnt sugar and caramel flavors of the past Chardonnays linger in my memory. I don’t particularly care for a great deal of oak in any white wine really so those oaky Chardonnays are not my speed. But the racy, lean, and zesty Chardonnays of Chablis? Yeah, baby.
My friends E&M don’t have a home base anywhere so quite often when they don’t have anywhere else to be they stay with me in Istanbul. Their “rent”: duty free wine like this Domaine Laroche Chablis. Domaine Laroche believes firmly in sustainable agriculture which relies on taking the relationship between vine, soil, climate and environment into account. They use no weed killers, no pesticides, no anti-botrytis treatments.
Domaine Laroche Chablis 2015 Tasting Notes
The Laroche Chablis is a great example of the regional terroir. The nose is simultaneously angular and citrus but soft and floral with a suggestive hint of smoky flint . On the palate zesty, mouthwatering acid melts into flavors of apple and pear. Clean minerals and light salinity complete this light-bodied, balanced, and lovely wine.