Albert Bichot Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 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

This Climat's name is said to be derived from the word "perreuse" (stone), which was the name of the ancient Roman stone road that linked Chablis with Maligny, running alongside the base of the modern-day "Preuses" Climat.

The plot is located in the immediate vicinity of our "La Moutonne" monopole. The high planting density of our plot 8,500 vines/ha, encourages competition and results in smaller, very concentrated grapes.

The chardonnay grapes are hand picked before fermentation used 500l oak vats. The wine than ages for 10 months in 1-5 year old oak barrels before bottling.

The distinguished nose reveals mineral notes typical of the Chablis region’s terroir. The palate offers lovely purity and tautness and boasts a long finish reminiscent of nuts and spices.