Joseph Drouhin Laforet Chardonny de Bourgogne

Vineyard

Site: LaForêt Bourgogne Chardonnay is made with the Chardonnay grape coming from the whole of Burgundy. It is often the entry level wine leading to the great white Burgundies: to drink it provides the simple pleasures of a classic Burgundy.
History & tradition: the name LaForêt (pronounced "La-fo-ray") is synonymous with quality. Joseph Drouhin takes great care in selecting the various cuvées.
Soil: clay and limestone.

Vinification

Supply: grapes and must purchased from regular suppliers.
Press: pneumatic press.
"Débourbage": decanting of white wine to reduce sediment.

Composed like a perfume. Véronique Drouhin and the blend of LaForêt.

"We have a good palette of aromas and flavours. Chablis, in the north, for the freshness and character, the Côte d'Or for finesse and elegance, the Mâconnais to the south for the charm and fruitiness. With this structure, LaForêt is a faithful wine, and we rediscover these traits from year to year".

Ageing

Stainless-steel vats (7 to 8 months).
One to two year old barrels for the wines of higher provenance.
Part of the wine is aged in oak barrels, and that changes a lot. Why? Because the marriage with oxygen happens more gently (as said by Véronique Drouhin!). Result: the wine is not overly woody but is rich in aromas".

Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation. The data obtained is then completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.

Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin

"Full of life! A bouquet of citrus aromas, and then we find honey and vanilla. In the mouth, it's funky, spontaneous, striking. Really charming!".

Vintage

The wines are highly seductive and pleasant; they are well-balanced and offer an attractive richness. The Grands Crus from the Côte de Beaune deserve to be kept some extra years. The wines from the Mâcon area display riper aromas, providing a lot of charm.