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Domaine Corinne Perchaud, Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume”

Burgundy, France 2015 (750mL)
$35.00
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Domaine Corinne Perchaud, Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume”

If looking at a vineyard map of Chablis, you’ll see a common theme with its Grand Crus: They’re all clustered along the Seine River soaking up the sun on perfectly exposed hillsides. Today’s “Fourchaume” may not be one of these seven Grand Crus, but it’s one that draws heavy comparisons: Domaine Corinne Perchaud’s two plots—which total two acres—sit directly downstream, with the exact same soil composition, sun exposure, and elevation.


As far as Premier Crus (there are 40 sites), “Fourchaume” is one of the select few that can challenge and potentially outclass the big boys. Common descriptors when drinking top-level Chablis are power, depth, and precision—a trifecta that lives on a tightrope and can be thrown out of balance with the slightest change, especially in a cold, marginal region like Chablis. In the warm 2015 vintage, however, the best vineyards thrived more than ever and that’s why today’s “Fourchaume” is such an unbelievable value. It fuses liveliness and refreshment with an immense concentration of fruit alongside Chablis’ signature chalk/oyster shell minerality. This combination of vintage, vineyard, and price is seldom (if ever) seen—it’s a must have in my book.


The Perchaud domaine was founded in the “roaring” 1920s, or, as the French called it, “Années folles” (the crazy years). It wasn’t until 60 years later, however, when Corinne Perchaud and her husband Jean-Pierre Grossot started working at the domaine, representing the third generation of winemakers. Today, along with the help of their daughter, Eve, they farm 45 acres (12 of which are Premier Cru) and craft superb, mineral-driven Chablis with a heavy focus on lift and precision; almost all of their wines are aged in stainless steel. Though sustainability has been a large part of their philosophy for more than 20 years (i.e. organic fertilizers, regular plowing, manual de-budding and pruning), they are now in the process of achieving organic certification. 


Perchaud has a bevy of holdings—all family-owned—throughout the region, but only two small plots within today’s Premier Cru “Fourchaume.” The pair of them total just under two acres with vines that are approximately 35 years old. Sustainable farming has been in place here for decades and grapes are always hand harvested before being sent to their winery in the nearby town of Fleys—just five miles away. The grapes are sorted and gently pressed into stainless steel tanks where both alcoholic and full malolactic fermentation takes place. It then ages on its lees for one year before being bottled with a light filtration.



In the glass, Perchaud’s 2015 “Fourchaume” displays a brilliant straw-yellow core with platinum highlights leading out to a clear rim. A tad reductive (oxygen-starved) at first, it needs a brief 30 minute decant before showing its true colors. This Premier Cru then opens up with lovely white and yellow floral aromatics with a touch of honeysuckle, followed by crushed chalk, oyster shell, Key lime, Bosc pear, green apple skin, quince, yellow apple, and lemon curd. The concentrated and textured palate reveals supple fruits with just a touch of green mango peel in the background. Of course, Chablis’ classic mineral intensity builds alongside bursts of refreshing acidity and it finishes lip-smackingly long. After allowing a quick breather, this ‘15 Chablis is fantastic to drink now—simply pour in all-purpose stems around 50-55 degrees and enjoy—but if you can swing it, find some room in your cellar for a few bottles, at it will continue to improve over the next decade-plus. Serve next to Coquilles St-Jacques (a.k.a scallops) poached in a white wine with a mushroom purée. It is yet another truly classic pairing that must be tried. Cheers!
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Country
France
Region
Burgundy
Sub-Region
FranceChablis — Premier Cru Fourchaume
Soil
Kimmeridgian
Farming
Practicing Organic
Blend
Chardonnay 100%
Alcohol
13.0
TEMP.
55
Glassware
All-Purpose Stem
Drinking
Now-2022
Decanting
30 Minutes
Pairing
Coquilles St-Jacques

France

Bourgogne

Beaujolais

Enjoying the greatest wines of Beaujolais starts, as it usually does, with the lay of the land. In Beaujolais, 10 localities have been given their own AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) designation. They are: Saint Amour; Juliénas; Chénas; Moulin-à Vent; Fleurie; Chiroubles; Morgon; Régnié; Côte de Brouilly; and Brouilly.

Southwestern France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux surrounds two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, which intersect north of the city of Bordeaux to form the Gironde Estuary, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is at the 45th parallel (California’s Napa Valley is at the38th), with a mild, Atlantic-influenced climate enabling the maturation of late-ripening varieties.

Central France

Loire Valley

The Loire is France’s longest river (634 miles), originating in the southerly Cévennes Mountains, flowing north towards Paris, then curving westward and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes. The Loire and its tributaries cover a huge swath of central France, with most of the wine appellations on an east-west stretch at47 degrees north (the same latitude as Burgundy).

Northeastern France

Alsace

Alsace, in Northeastern France, is one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, with vineyards running from the foothills of theVosges Mountains down to the Rhine River Valley below.

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