2011 Louis Michel Chablis Montée de Tonnerre

Louis Michel & Fils is a family-run domaine with more than 150 years of history in Chablis. The 65-acre domaine is today run by Jean-Loup Michel, the fifth generation of the Michel family to head the operation, and his nephew Guillaume Gicqueau-Michel. The domaine has vineyards on both banks of the river Serein and its vineyards are either Grand Cru or Premier Cru parcels. Louis Michel only makes Chablis and Petit Chablis, and is notable for its long-held belief that stainless steel tanks are preferable to wood. The estate has not used wood barrels for more than 40 years. Clive Coates has noted that the estate’s winemaking technique “produces splendidly elegant, pure and fragrantly expressive wines…. This is one of the top domaines in the appellation.”

Montee de Tonnerre is a 15-acre Premier Cru parcel just east of the village of Chablis and just south of the Grand Crus. Montee de Tonnerre includes the important climats of Chapelot, Les Chapelots, Pied d’Aloup and Coted de Brechain. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “in blind tastings, this microparcel is often judged to be a Grand Cru. It is regrettable that its reputation is not better known…” The soil is a mixture of limestone, clay and fossilized oyster shells.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.