Domaine De L’Enclos Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot 2022

Founded by siblings Romain and Damien Bouchard, Domaine de l’Enclos represents a new generation of Chablis winemakers committed to demanding organic viticulture. The family has been working in Chablis for generations. In 2015, they sold their father’s négociant business but retained the 39 hectares of vineyard previously owned by their mother’s family. The brothers worked in their parents’ domaine from an early age, and a few years before founding L’Enclos, Romain took over Domaine de la Grande Chaume, which he converted to organic farming, before merging it with the family’s parental holdings.

The domaine obtained organic certification in 2018, supplemented by biodynamic methods since 2017, and their underground vinification cellar — five metres below ground — provides natural temperature regulation and is comprised primarily of small stainless-steel tanks, ensuring that the various parcels can be vinified separately. The estate now holds three Grand Cru and seven Premier Cru sites across Chablis, including fine slivers of celebrated climats such as Fourchaume, Blanchot, and Les Clos.

The estate’s style aims for precise, saline, and luminous Chardonnays, true to the limestone energy of the Serein valley.

The vineyard
Blanchot lies to the east of the Grands Crus hillside, spanning 12.7 hectares of complex, notoriously difficult terroir to work. Its east/southeast exposure gives the vines a limited window of direct sun — catching the morning light before turning away — yet the site paradoxically remains warm. Its steep slope and sheltered position allow the grapes to ripen slowly, with harvest here typically taking place well after that of its neighbour, Les Clos. The domaine’s parcel sits on a small, very steep plot at the base of the slope, farmed entirely by hand, with vines over 40 years old.

Vinification
Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted on a vibrating table, followed by gentle pressing and spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Ageing takes place in a mix of stainless steel and used wood, giving the Chardonnay its balance of freshness, power, and clarity alongside structure and elegant opulence.

Eye
Clear, pale straw yellow.

Nose
Powerful and elegant, true to its terroir — ripe fruit (apple) and white flowers mingle with citrus, iodine, and mineral notes.

Palate
Vibrant and full of energy, with a generous richness and notes of exotic fruit, finishing long and mouth-wateringly saline. Fine and elegant on the floral register, with a nervy, well-defined profile — the tension of the cru takes over on the finish, delivering a mouth full of vitality and sap.

Food Pairing
Best served at 12–13°C, ideal with truffle toasts or steamed lobster — equally suited to other refined seafood preparations that can stand up to its richness and energy.