Chablis 1er Cru La Fourchaume 2023 Bessin-Tremblay | Burgundy

Bessin-Tremblay 's Chablis 1er Cru La Fourchaume continues a family history rooted on the right bank of the Serein since the late ^19th century. The wine estate cultivates nearly 2.5 hectares of Chardonnay, using organic viticulture and biodynamic principles. Situated in the extension of the Grands Crus hillside, the climate of Chablis Premier Cru La Fourchaume benefits from a west-southwest exposure that favors early and regular ripening. The clay-limestone soils, rich in Kimmeridgian marl and composed of marine fossils and oyster shells, give the wine its saline base and unique brilliance. The Bessin Tremblay wine estate practices careful hand harvesting with low yields to preserve the quality of the grapes. After a natural winemaking process using indigenous yeasts, the wine is aged in barrels and stainless steel tanks on fine lees for 12 to 18 months, to preserve the wine's natural tension while imparting a supple texture. The result is a well-balanced cuvée, where the richness of the fruit is held together by a saline energy typical of Chablis Premier Cru.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : The Chablis 1er Cru La Fourchaume de Bessin-Tremblay shows a particularly sensitive reading of its terroir. It combines a full body, nourished by perfect ripeness, with a tension preserved thanks to particularly controlled ageing. This is the clear line of the Bessin Tremblay wine estate, where each vintage reveals the full brilliance of Chablis.

The nose reveals a complex, luminous bouquet where honeysuckle, lily and ripe pear intertwine with notes of yellow lemon and broom. Hints of almond, pollen and orange marmalade add concentration on aeration. A hint of iodine and gunflint recall the minerality of the Kimmeridgian terroir.

On the palate, this Chablis Premier Cru La Fourchaume surpasses all expectations with its brilliance and precision. The ripe, generous fruit is complemented by a lively, acidic structure with saline accents. The well-balanced texture continues with clear salinity and a slightly spicy relief, whose mineral persistence is a sign of the terroir.