2023 Michel Gahier, Arbois Blanc, Chardonnay, 'Lou'

Michel Gahier manages his estate in Montigny-lès-Arsures with a rigorous non-interventionist philosophy, employing organic farming and a zero-sulfur winemaking protocol. The 'Lou' cuvée is sourced from 45-year-old Chardonnay vines rooted in white marl and clay-limestone soils, a terroir that provides the wine with significant mid-palate density and mineral grip. Vinified in the *ouillé* (topped-up) style and aged in neutral demi-muids, the wine maintains structural clarity and a saline core without the influence of oxidative aging. The 2023 vintage, characterized by a balanced growing season and excellent acid retention, reinforces the wine’s vertical tension and fine-grained texture. This Arbois Chardonnay is a direct outcome of Gahier’s technical precision, prioritizing architectural strength and terroir transparency over stylistic artifice.