Brocard Chablis Premier Cru Vau de Vey 2022, France

The Chardonnay in Vau de Vey is located in a valley situated behind Cote de Lechet on the left bank of the Serein River. The vines face east and grow upon steep slopes of Kimmeridgian limestone, of which reach an incline that can only be accessed by hand. After harvest, the grapes are fermented with natural yeast. They are aged in 50% stainless steel and 50% used oak for 14 months and undergo full malolactic fermentation. Aromatically the wine has notes of crisp green apples and spicey lemon cake. On the palate, there is wet stone, salty seashell minerality, and an inherent spiciness, such as warm anise that lingers in the back palate. Jean-Marc Brocard, the son of a farmer from the village of Chaudenay-le-Chateau in the Cote d’Or, discovered his passion for wine after marrying his childhood sweetheart Claudine, the daughter of vigneron Emile Petit from the Yonne Valley. In addition to his father-in-law, Jean-Marc credits much of his wine expertise to his mentor and distant relative, ‘P’tit’ Louis, another vigneron from Chablis that provided him with a sense of vision and respect for nature combining traditional practices with modern winemaking techniques. In 1973, Jean-Marc settled in Prehy, where he built his winery and 1 hectare vineyard. He has since created a 120 hectare estate and produces over 30 unique single vineyard Chablis. In 1996, Jean-Marc’s son, Julien Brocard, joined the family business with a vision to turn the entire estate into a biodynamic and organic culture.