Jeremy Arnaud Bourgogne Chardonnay Les Veuillots – Bois 2022

Born into a winemaking family in Chablis, Jérémy Arnaud chose to prove himself independently, founding his own micro-domaine in 2016 with a single 0.55-hectare parcel rather than joining the family estate. Trained at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune and holding a National Diploma in Oenology, he broadened his experience across Meursault, Beaune, and Pauillac before returning to Chablis to chart his own course. The domaine has since grown to nearly five hectares, all farmed and vinified by Jérémy alone — no herbicides, hand harvesting, native yeast fermentations, no fining or filtration, sulphur kept to a minimum. His philosophy is simple: let the terroir and vintage speak without interference.

THE TERROIR — LES VEUILLOTS

«Les Veuillots» is a family parcel of 1.7 hectares situated on the commune of Tonnerre, at the fringe of the Chablis appellation in the Yonne. The vineyard faces due south on a marl-limestone soil of Kimmeridgian origin, planted in 2019 at an exceptionally high vine density. What makes Les Veuillots unique within the domaine is Jérémy’s decision to produce three distinct wines from the same parcel, differentiated solely by the vessel used for ageing: stainless steel (Inox), cement egg (Ovoïde), and old oak barrel (Bois). This deliberate experiment in élevage reveals how profoundly the vessel shapes the expression of an identical terroir, making the three cuvées a compelling study in contrast.

VINIFICATION

Grapes are hand-harvested and gently pressed. Fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts. The Bois version is aged in used 228-litre oak barrels, which add a layer of texture, complexity, and subtle creaminess without imposing overt wood character. Bottled without fining or filtration, with minimal sulphur.

TASTING NOTES — 2022

Eye: Pale gold with warm amber highlights, deeper in tone than the Inox and Ovoïde expressions.

Nose: More complex and enveloping than its siblings — toasty, nutty, and lightly lactic, with ripe pear, white peach, hazelnut, and a gentle vanilla breath from the oak. The Kimmeridgian minerality remains present beneath, lending precision to what is otherwise the richest aromatic register of the three cuvées.

Palate: Rounded, silky, and generous, with a soft creamy texture and well-integrated oak framing ripe stone fruit and almond. The acidity is present but cushioned, giving the wine a broad, enveloping mouthfeel that tapers to a long, mineral finish. The most structured and cellar-worthy of the Les Veuillots trio — the oak adds depth and weight that will reward a few more years of bottle age.

FOOD PAIRING

Roast chicken with cream and tarragon, veal blanquette, lobster bisque, grilled turbot with beurre blanc, aged Comté or Gruyère.