Domaine Louis Michel et Fils Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux 2022

The Michel family have been cultivating their passion for tradition and the Chablis terroir since 1850. The winery is situated in the heart of the village, with the 25-hectare vineyard spread over the very first slopes that were discovered by Cistercian monks in the 11th century. Forty years ago, the family decided to stop making the wine in wooden barrels, preferring to create clean, pure and precise Chablis without adding artificial woody tastes. Through this philosophy,

combined with the limited yields inspired by organic winegrowing techniques, the domaine has developed a worldwide reputation for fine winemaking in stainless steel tanks. Today it’s Jean-Loup Michel and his nephew Guillaume Gicqueau-Michel who uphold the family tradition and further its reputation.

Guillaume Gicqueau-Michel is the sixth-generation representative of a family which has been making wine since 1850. He was recently handed the reins by his uncle Jean-Loup Michel. Their philosophy is to impart as little interference as possible, with the two principal ambitions being to respect the environment and to reflect the terroir in their wines.

Four parcels of land, spread over the Butteaux slopes produce the grapes for this wine. Planted in 1970 and 1972, these are the furthest from the winery at a distance of 2km. The terroir is Kimmeridgian left bank, featuring marl with marine fossils. The topsoil has plenty of clay, limestone, and few pebbles. Vines with an average age of 37 years.

"Here too there is an abundance of Chablis character present on the citrus and cool floral aromas that include notes of tidal pool, shellfish and algae. There is a bit more volume and concentration to the medium-bodied flavours that possess a refreshing salinity and driving minerality on the muscular, balanced and long finish. This won't win any awards for refinement but I really like the bold flavour authority." October, 2015 Allen Meadows Burghound.com 90-92 points