Domaine des Hates Petit Chablis 2021 / 2022
Type: White
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Climate: Continental climate with hot summers and long, cold winters
Terroir: Surrounded by AOC vineyards, it’s only the younger age of the Portlandian soils, as opposed to the traditional Kimmeridgian that keeps this from being an AOC Chablis. In fact, the vineyards themselves are surrounded on all sides by AOC vineyards
Winemaking: Gravity-fed, malolactic fermentation and aged in stainless steel
Color: Bright straw colour with flecks of green
Nose: Aromas of green apple, pear and lime
Palate: Nicely rounded with flavours of pear, citrus and green apple overlaying stony mineral and oyster shell elements. Finishes dry with brisk acidity and a stony mid-length aftertaste
About the Winery:
Located in the northwest sector of Chablis in the village of Maligny, Pierrick Laroche now runs this family estate which was established by his father in the 1970s. His father gradually gained planting rights and slowly added to the family vineyard holdings over time. Today the current size of the estate is around 25 hectares. In 2010 Pierrick produced his first vintage to great acclaim (his father had previously sold the grapes to La Chablisienne).
Pierrick has a degree in oenology from Beaune and after graduating he travelled the world, doing various internships to gain experience before returning home to start making wine and take over the family vineyards for himself.
His cellars are built into the side of a hill in the village enabling much of the work to be done by gravity. Vinifications are done classically in stainless steel tanks with some of the Premier and Grand Cru wines aged in used barrels for a small portion of each cuvée where the wines undergo full malolactic. His oldest plot of vines is Les Châtillons, which was planted in the early 1970s and is located just behind the hill of Grand Crus. This cuvée also has a small portion of barrel ageing, employed to great effect.
Beginning with vintage 2016, Pierrick began a tiny négoce operation to augment his range, buying must from friends farming predominately on the left side of the river. These wines now include the premier crus of Beauroy, Beauregard, and Vau de Vey, along with the grand cru of Bougros. In 2019, Pierrick inherited 8 acres of vines from his father-in-law in the southern sector of Chablis around the village of Courgis. This includes Petit Chablis, 5.5 acres of Chablis, and just over half an acre of the premier cru Les Butteaux.
