Moreau Naudet 'Forets' Chablis 1er Cru 2024

TASTING NOTE: “This is consistently among my favourite bottlings from this cellar. The 2024 shows exotic notes of passion fruit and kiwi, along with hints of verbena and star anise. The texture is silky and fine, with a touch of richness but nothing heavy. It is still on lees and will not be bottled until June or July of 2026. The grapes are from 1.9ha spread throughout the appellation; fermented and aged in tank.” 94 Points - Charles Curtis MW, Decanter ABOUT THE WINE: Stéphane Moreau used to call Forêts “one of the greatest terroirs of Chablis.” It’s a historical sub-plot within the Premier Cru Montmains, high up the slope and facing southeast. It can undoubtedly produce Chablis of the highest order, as both Dauvissat and Moreau have shown many times (Raveneau also has a small parcel). Moreau farms two plots of vines here, totalling just under two hectares. The first plot hugs Vincent Dauvissat’s parcel, and shares a vine age of 60 years. The second (with 25-year-old vines) sits next to the Raveneau plot. As with all the Premier Cru wines (apart from Montmains), the wine fermented and aged in both steel tank and used barrels (30%) of various sizes. The maturation period now extends to two years. Bibendum ABOUT THE PRODUCER: After the passing of Stéphane Moreau, the Domaine continues to thrive with Virginie Moreau leading the charge. Moreau-Naudet maintains small holdings among the most pedigreed crus of Chablis. In the vineyard, organic viticulture, hand harvesting, low yields and late picking are key while in the winery whole berry pressing, natural yeast fermentation, minimal use of sulfur, natural settling and long, slow élevage in large oak are all part of the Moreau-Naudet process. Moreau-Naudet’s wines are intense with mineral freshness interwoven through pulpy and sexy fruit. Their annual releases are fast becoming as anticipated as those from the big guns at Raveneau and Dauvissat. COUNTRY: France REGION: Burgundy SUB-REGION: Chablis VARIETAL: Chardonnay WINE STYLE: White Wine WINEMAKER: Virginie Moreau CLASSIFICATION: Natural / Lo-Fi, Minimal Sulphites, Organic Farming CLOSURE: Cork ABV%: 13% SIZE: 750ml