TN: Louis Michel 2010 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume

WINE TALK
1

This is a vineyard that always seems to treat me well. Michel’s wine comes from the Valourent parcel of Fourchaume, and it definitely borders on Grand Cru quality…

It’s a brilliant young wine - the lack of oak and reliance on tanks in the winemaking is something to behold. The finish just goes on and on - the density of the extract here is incredible, but it never seems ponderous or clumsy. It’s a vinous missile; a bright beam of shockingly pure peach and pear fruit that suddenly unfurls and then explodes with a swallow. The aromas of the wine compete with top Mosel Riesling for minerality and fruit.

Almost painfully intense. It’s like a flexed muscle in a glass. Tame it with food, or wait for the better part of a decade. Or two. I have had good experiences with the basic Michel Chablis at 10 years, and this seems to beg for a sojourn in the cellar.

2

Great note Jim. I really enjoy this producer and the price point he comes in at. The 2010 Montee de Tonnerre is amazing. The best Louis Michel i’ve had. Amazing juice for $30-35.

3

I haven’t had any of their 2010s but otherwise I agree on all counts about the quality of Michel’s wines.

4

Thanks for the note. I really like Michel and I have been buying about 2 cases of the various cuvees each vintage. My go-to Chablis producer.

5

Brilliant minds think alike. [wow.gif]

6

Russ, but who is other mind? Ha–hey, so I changed tha avatar to eliminate your neck pain.

7

Yeah I know…yours is a bit of a stretch. neener Thanks for switching up the avatar. I assume that is your daughter, but I had no idea you were a grandfather. Dang your old. [wow.gif]

8

2011 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard PN SLH
2010 Kutch McDougall Ranch PN SCoast
2011 Wind Gap Sonoma Coast PN
2011 Anthill Farms Campbell Ranch Sonoma Coast
2010 Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Sec
2011 Ceritas Costalina Sonoma Coast PN
2008 Novy Susan’s Hill SLH Syrah
2007 Carlisle RRV Syrah (!!!)

No burgs? You are back sliding!

9

I’ve never had the Fourchaume from the same vintage as Montee de Tonnerre, which is my go-to wine from this estate. Can anyone who has, compare them?

10

[barf.gif]

11

I have the 11 MdT and 10 Butteaux VV, so I can’t do a direct comparison, but the 10 Butteaux VV was equally awesome, so while I can’t say anything about the specific characteristics of the 10 MdT, I bet it is also awesome!

I’m not sure how Michel fell off my radar, but they are back on it for sure…

12

Purest expression of Chablis? Yeah I would say so. Not one showing the heights that producers with some elevage in old wood get to portray but pure and delish in their own way. I still like some of the effects of micro ox and age in mostly if not entirely used oak more than purely vat raised (ESP stainless) Chablis.

13

Sounds very good Jim.

14

Of the 2010 Louis Michel Chablis, thus far I’ve only opened the Butteaux and Forêts, both excellent.

I like this producer and buy in most vintages. But Jim, I have never considered their wines to be long for the cellar. For my drinking, short to mid term. I’m drinking my 2008s now as well as my dwindling stock of 2007s. Earlier vintages are long gone from my cellar. Not so much a premox issue for me, just a personal experience that they do not become better wines with significant age.

15

That’s interesting Ashe r (I assume it’s you from the old EBob days). I had pretty good luck with the base Chablis at 10 years out from 90s vintages in good and less good years. I haven’t had much experience lately, so you may well be right, but that said, the style doesn’t feel super different where many other producers seem to be turning out wines with much more upfront appeal. Perhaps My note was a little exuberant, but 10 years doesn’t seem overly ambitious. Twenty years, perhaps a little much!

16

Thanks for the note. I have never had any of this producer’s wines but bought some of the 2010 Montee from Rare Wine. Haven’t received them yet.

17

I’ve been stocking Michel’s Montee (and some Butteaux) for a few years, but didn’t know his Fourchaume is in Valourent - thanks for this useful info. Michel, Billaud-Simon, B. Defaix, and Picq have become my Chablis mainstays, since I stopped buying Fevre some time ago.

Is it possible to have too much Chablis?

Thank you for the note.