2007 Chablis Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes

From three disparate parcels, the Laroche 2007 Chablis Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes (of which a small percentage, as in the case of this year's Vaudevay, was aged in barrel) is quite plush in texture for the vintage, yet retains a zesty pungency and finishes with considerable refinement and energy for the site, incorporating invigorating and intriguing notes of salt, stone, and toasted nuts. I expect this will keep well for 4-5 years. Winemaker Denis de la Bourdonnaye seems bullish on his 2007s and their aging potential, despite emphasizing what he felt was the need to extensively work what lees he retained, and to bottle correspondingly later to avoid too-lean an impression. Having said that, de la Bourdonnaye then goes on to observe that he thinks the use of screw-cap closures - to which this estate was among the first in France to commit - is especially well-suited to the personality of the vintage, and to -the preservation of precision and minerality during long aging.- The majority of the 2007 wines here came in at little more than 12% potential alcohol, he relates, and chaptalization was negligible. It was announced in late September that Languedoc negociant Jeanjean had acquired Laroche, although early indications pointed toward continuity in the Chablis estate, with Michel Laroche remaining as director. Importer: Remy-Cointreau USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 424-2244