Domain Laroche, Chablis ‘La Collegiale’ 2011, France
For many people Chablis is both a summer wine, and a quintessential special occasion bottle: one of Burgundy’s most famous sub-regions, where the steely, all-Chardonnay wines make such good partners to fish and seafood. This cuvee from Laroche is super-modern in presentation, from its screw-capped bottle to its contemporary label, but the stuff inside is classic Chablis. It’s an unoaked wine from 25-year-old vines on Kimmeridgian soils with a modest 12.2% alcohol. The nose is focused on lemon, dry apple and a hint of that salty mineral note. But there’s a hint of breadth and oatmeal too, from six months of ageing on the ‘lees’ in tank. The palate is pristine, overflowing with citrus and dry, biting freshness, but again there is a hint of richness, of honey and of that leesy weight to stop this from being at all tart or thin. A very nice, very vivid expression of Chablis. More details and food-matching suggestions in the video. 13.99, Majestic, but on offer at 10.99 until 04/02/2013. See all stockists of Chablis wines from Laroche on .
