Domaine Garnier, Chablis Mont De Milieu 1er Cru, 2021

Ripe Grapefruit, Mineral, Steely

Burgundy / White / Chardonnay / Organic 

Made from 35yo vines on a south-facing hillside, with a red clay topsoil dotted with many oyster shells. It was aged for 18 months in 70% 600 litre barrels and 30% in stainless steel. This is top class Chablis and still represents great value for money considering the prices further south.

Notes on the producer

Domaine Garnier is a 23ha estate based in Ligny-le-Châtel, the most northerly commune for producing Chablis. The domaine was founded in 1985 by now retired father Joseph who farmed cereals in the Chablis appellation, and by the time of his final bottling in 1992 had 4.2ha of vines. Eldest son Xavier then took over the reins and was joined in 2000 by younger brother Jérôme. he domaine concentrates on Petit Chablis and Chablis but also offer leading Premier and Grand Cru wines, as they buy micro quantities of grapes from friends which they pick and vinify themselves. Yields are 10% lower than used by most growers in the appellation, only indigenous yeasts are used for the fermentation, a patient approach is adopted during the élevage and no wines are rushed into bottle (most wines are bottled after a year, and all the Premier Crus are aged for up to 18 months). Sulphur levels are at significantly lower levels than the norm (averaging a total of 40-50mg/l)