Domaine Christophe et fils

BurgundyFrance
Portlandian and Kimmeridgian Limestones

This website contains no AI-generated text or images.
All writing and photography are original works by Ted Vance.

In 1999, Sébastien Christophe began to vinify a half hectare of Petit Chablis planted by his grandfather. Since then, he has methodically acquired a multitude of parcels he both owns and rents. He began organic conversion in 2021 but for many years prior, he had already used only organic certified vineyard treatments. All of his vines are located on the Serein River’s right bank (the grand cru side), and all grapes are hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented, go through malolactic fermentation, and are principally aged in steel with less than 10% in oak barrels (new, 1-, 2- and 3-year-old) for the crus and fined and filtered before bottling. The style is classically spare and mineral-driven, resulting in precise and vertical Chablis closer in style to Loire Valley whites than the Côte d'Or.
Domaine Christophe et fils Fourchaume

Domaine Christophe et fils - 2023 Chablis, 1er Cru Fourchaume

Price: $71.00
Size: 750ml
Availability: 

Coming Soon

Type of Wine: White
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Style: High acid, Mineral

GROWER OVERVIEW

In 1999, Sébastien Christophe began to vinify a half hectare of Petit Chablis planted by his grandfather. Since then, he has methodically acquired a multitude of parcels he both owns and rents. He began organic conversion in 2021 but for many years prior, he had already used only organic certified vineyard treatments. All of his vines are located on the Serein River’s right bank (the grand cru side), and all grapes are hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented, go through malolactic fermentation, and are principally aged in steel with less than 10% in oak barrels (new, 1-, 2- and 3-year-old) for the crus and fined and filtered before bottling. The style is classically spare and mineral-driven, resulting in precise and vertical Chablis closer in style to Loire Valley whites than the Côte d’Or.

VINEYARD DETAILS

Located just north of the Grand Cru slope, Christophe’s 1er Cru Fourchaume comes from the south-facing lieu-dit, Côte de Fontenay, planted in 1981 at 120-130m on moderately deep marne (limestone-rich clay) and marl-rich topsoil with hard alluvial limestone marls on Kimmeridgian limestone marl bedrock.

CELLAR NOTES

Hand harvested, pressed, and settled overnight, then racked off heavy sediments before undergoing a slow, low temperature, natural fermentation over 1-2 months prior to a year of aging in 80-85% steel and 15-20% in 228L oak barrels (new, 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old) with an occasional bâttonage, if needed. Prior to bottling it’s fined and filtered.

About The Wine

Google 3-D Image of Fourchaume: Christophe’s section is just to the right of the stark white vineyard road in this image that goes up and then to the right. It’s the first section up from the main road. You can see that it is almost an exact south-face, while much of the rest of Fourchaume faces southwest. Also, here is a downloadable pdf on Premier and Grand Cru Chablis. It’s thorough, but it’s in French. The geological and vineyard maps are key. Another great resource for specific vineyard information is here and be sure to click on the vineyard names for more information about them.