Albert Bichot Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaucopins 2022

Maison Albert Bichot was established in Beaune in 1831 by Bernard Bichot, grandfather of the first of a line of Albert Bichots.

The current managing director is Alberic Bichot (born 1964) who has revitalised the business which is now based around a series of domaines: Long-Depaquit in Chablis, Clos Frantin for the Côte de Nuits, du Pavillon for the Côte de Beaune and Domaine d’Adélie for Mercurey. Wines with one or other of these denominations will be from their own vineyards, while wines just bearing the name Albert Bichot will be from purchased grapes.

The company has separate vinification centres in Chablis, Pommard, Nuits-St-Georges and Beaune itself. Lupé-Cholet is an associated marque. Christophe Chavel has been looking after the vineyards since 2000, ensuring that they are all ploughed and no fertilisers are used. Alain Serveau, originally from a domaine in Morey-St-Denis, is technical director. Fermentation takes place in wooden vats of varying sizes depending on the specific plot of vines in question, using natural yeasts. Maturation is in oak barrels without too much new wood: 20 to 30 per cent for village wines, from 50 to 100 per cent for grands crus.

Bichot is now a serious player with some excellent red wines which avoid showing too much of a house style, and some fine whites

"Les Vaucopins" is a Premier Cru in a class of its own among the wide range of Domaine Long-Depaquit's wines. Located on the right bank of the Serein river, this Climat is located in the commune of Chichée, 3 kms south-east of Chablis.

This terroir is remarkably similar to that of the Grand Crus: southern exposure, a steep slope and numerous Kimmeridgian outcrops, which give Chablis wines their typical minerality. This noble terroir along with frequently warm conditions yield classy Premier Cru wines with the same potential as the greatest Chablis.

The grapes are hand picked before fermentation. 85% of the wine ferments in stainless steel with 15% ages in old oak barrels.

15% of the wine ages in 1-4 year old barrels before the entire production ages for a further year in tanks.

The Vaucopins cuvée is the archetype of the minerality found in the wines of Chablis. A complex combination of fleshy fruit, notes of smoke and gunflint paired with a lively, vivacious structure. Highly concentrated flavours on the palate, which boasts exceptional length.