Louis Michel & Fils Chablis Premier Cru Forets 2023

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant or air for up to 30 minutes before serving. One of the things that makes Louis Michel & Fils so special is that from the vineyard to the bottle, their grapes never have to travel more than 2km. The winery has been immersed in the heart of the Chablis terroir since the 19th century, and it creates an incredible range of steely wines that reflect that fact. This wine is a great introduction to one of Chablis’ most interesting Premier Crus. In “Forets”, the bedrock lies extremely close to the roots of the vines - in some spots, just a few centimetres under the ground. This gifts the wine with a rich minerality and that unmistakable gunflint note which has become highly sought after across the world. Rich and spicy fruit aromas waft from the neck of this bottle, mingling with more delicate notes of hedgerow, raw chocolate and pepper. It contains some remarkably bold flavours for a Chardonnay and is definitely worthy of cellaring in the long term. On the palate, look for lemon, white-fleshed fruits, gunsmoke and chalk, with the slightest hint of aniseed. The finish is crisp and moreish. Consider combining this wine with a harder cheese, such as Beaufort or Comté, or any kind of seafood dish.