Domaine de l'Enclos Chablis 'Vaudesir' Grand Cru 2023

Introduction

Produced in France, this prestigious white wine originates from the Burgundy region within the Chablis Grand Cru 'Vaudesir' subregion. Domaine de l'Enclos was established in 2016 by brothers Romain and Damien Bouchard, though they represent the fourth generation of their family to cultivate the classic Kimmeridgian soils of the area. The estate operates out of a historic 19th-century property in the heart of Chablis, where the philosophy focuses on certified organic viticulture and a gravity-fed, low-intervention winemaking process.

Wine Description

The 2023 Vaudesir Grand Cru presents a bright lemon yellow colour with crystalline reflections. On the nose, it is distinguished by fresh apple and citrus zest aromas, layered with subtle notes of toffee, freshly baked bread, and a delicate saline hint of oyster shell. The palate is creamy and enveloping, offering a full-bodied sensation with flavours of ripe apricot, yellow apple, and a touch of pineapple. It displays a perfect harmony between its velvety texture and a precise mineral structure, leading to a long finish with nuances of mint and salt.

Composed of 100% Chardonnay, the wine is sourced from a small 0.57-hectare plot replanted in 1992 on a steep, south-facing slope. It was fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged on its lees for roughly 13 months in a combination of French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. While approachable in its youth for its freshness, this Grand Cru has the depth for cellaring, with an optimal drinking window typically spanning 5 to 10 years from the vintage.

Accolades

• Tim Atkin - 93 points