LOUIS MICHEL & FILS
Chablis Premier Crus
Extending over the right and left banks of the Sereine river, the Premier Crus each has its own personality.
Montée de Tonnerre
Located on the right bank of the Serein close to the Grand Crus, Montée de Tonnerre is certainly the most prestigious and sought-after vineyard of the Chablis Premier Crus.
Some even say that Montée de Tonnerre is the eighth Grand Cru!
Ageing: 8 to 15 years
Kimmeridgian. Right bank. South-west exposure.
These soils are deep and fertile with excellent drainage. The slope exposure and air circulation brings a sunny, light character to the wines. Montée de Tonnerre is the expression of successful marriage between terroir and climate: powerful yet complex and balanced wines.
Year planted: 1974
Vaulorent
The Fourchaume vineyards stretch over a continuous parcel of land more than 3 km in length, except for an enclave on the Grand Cru slope. That enclave is known as "Vaulorent" and the grapes used to make this wine grow here.
Ageing: 5 to 15 years
Kimmeridgian. Right Bank. South-east exposure.
The ground here has few pebbles and the soil is deep and brown. The terroir has some distinctive white marl that contains oyster fossils. The climate is prone to spring frosts but very warm during the summer.
Year planted: 1964
Séchets
Its aromatic expression, complexity and precise minerality make this typical Chablis Premier Cru perfect for ageing.
Ageing: 5 to 15 years
Kimmeridgian. Left bank. East/South-east exposure.
Distinctive hard limestone within a clay base, the soil is shallow, whitish in colour and mostly infertile. The vineyard is sunny and has good air circulation. A gentle slope.
Séchets is different from the other climats in the Vaillons valley because it has more marl characteristics.
Year planted: 1971
Vaillons
Vaillons, Roncières, Mélinots... These small climats in the Valvan valley are blended together to produce the Premier Cru known as Vaillons.
Ageing: 5 to 15 years
Kimmeridgian. Left bank. South-east exposure.
Hard limestone in a fairly strong clay base. Deep, well-drained soil with a reddish-brown colour.
Very warm vineyard sheltered from the wind. Fairly gentle slopes.
Years planted: 1969 / 1976 / 1984
Butteaux Vieilles Vignes
With an exceptional location right in the centre of Butteaux, the fruit from these old vines fully deserves to be vinified separately and its wine matured as a Grand Cru.
Ageing: 8 to 15 years
Kimmeridgian. Left bank. South-Southeast exposure.
This parcel is located at the top of the slope. The topsoil is moderately deep, made up of clay and silt with lots of limestone. Fairly steep slope. Very good air circulation.
Year planted: 1955
Butteaux
This wine comes from four separate parcels on the Butteaux hillsides. The resulting wines have wonderful complexity on the palate. They are characterful wines that enthusiasts love.
Ageing: 8 to 15 years
Kimmeridgian. Left bank. South-Southeast exposure.
Large blocks of marl containing oyster fossils combined with abundant white and blue clay. The parcels are located on fairly steep slopes and enjoy good air circulation.
Years planted: 1971 / 1972
Forêts
In the Domaine's two parcels, the bedrock is just a few centimetres below the surface, which contributes wonderful minerality to the wine.
Ageing: 5 to 15 years
Kimmeridgian. Left bank. South-Southeast exposure.
Hard limestone in a clay base. The Forêts vineyards grow on infertile and very stony soil with good drainage. The terroir is also characterised by the presence of a very shallow slab of fossilised shells. The slope is steep. The climate is cool in spring and hot in summer.
Years planted: 1969 / 1978
Montmain
The four parcels of Montmain are located along a clay slope with few pebbles. The climate is cool here, even cold some years, and the vineyards are known for being prone to spring frosts.
Ageing: 5 to 15 years
Kimmeridgian. Left bank. South-east exposure.
The soil is quite deep in places and is made up of distinctive hard limestone in an abundant clay base.
The slope is gentle and exposure to the wind.
Years planted: 1983 / 1987