Domaine Christophe et fils

BurgundyFrance
Portlandian and Kimmeridgian Limestones

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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 Mont de Milieu

Domaine Christophe et fils - 2023 Chablis, 1er Cru Mont de Milieu

Price: $74.00
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 south of the Grand Cru slope and the 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre, Christophe’s Mont de Milieu parcel was planted between 1980-1990 on a south-facing, medium-steep slope at 190m on shallow marne (limestone-rich clay) and marl-rich topsoil 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 Mont de Milieu: Mont de Milieu is the first hill in the image, followed by Montée de Tonnerre (much of the lower portion of the hill is village AOC wine, not 1er Cru; the exception is the lieu-dit, Chapelot, which goes to the bottom of the slope to the main road) between the Grand Cru hill, which starts with Blanchots facing southeast/south and Les Clos facing southwest and runs all the way to the road. 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.