2018 Patrick Piuze, Chablis Grand Cru, Blanchot

Patrick Piuze's philosophy for his Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot is rooted in faithfully expressing the site, achieved by sourcing from old vines averaging 40 years and employing long, natural fermentations primarily in neutral vessels or older oak to preserve vineyard character. The Blanchot Grand Cru, with its steep, east/southeast-facing slope and Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils, promotes slow ripening despite its inherently warm nature, contributing delicate saline and floral elements to the Chardonnay's structural foundation. The 2018 vintage in Chablis, characterized by warm, dry conditions and generous yields, required precise vineyard management to maintain balance and physiological ripeness. This yielded a 2018 Blanchot that presents a powerful and full-bodied palate, marked by ample dry extract and a layered texture, underscored by a persistent, intensely saline finish. The wine's structural integrity from this vintage ensures both immediate presence and the capacity for a decade of evolution.