Pommier - 'Hautérivien' - Chardonnay - Petit-Chablis, Burgundy, FR - 2022

Satellite's Hot Take

Presents perfectly. An ideal Chablis for btg and list. It hits all the marks and is just round and ripe enough to make it endlessly enjoyable yet refreshing as can be.

Notes from the Winery/Importer

Appellation Petit Chablis AOC Northernmost sub-region of Burgundy with vineyards in the hills and valleys around the Serein River. Petit Chablis covers vineyards not included in the Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru, and Chablis Grand Cru appellations. Petit Chablis vineyards contain mostly Portlandian soils instead of Kimmeridgian. Varieties 100% Chardonnay Farming Certified Organic (Ecocert EU). Machine-harvested. Vineyards & Site Average vine age is 25 years old. 2.8 ha single parcel in Villy on clay-limestone soils. Vinification & Aging Direct press. Native yeast fermentation and aged 15 mo in stainless steel. Very light fining.

Notes on the Producer

The Pommiers were early adopters of natural principles in an appellation where precious few farm organically, particularly in the early 90’s when they first began. In 1990, the couple took over 2 ha of family-owned vines in the commune of Poinchy. From the get-go, they were committed to lutte raisonnée. Over the years, as they witnessed the improved health and quality of their vines, they practiced less and less intervention, finally relinquishing all pesticides and glyphosate in 2008, and becoming certified organic in 2010. This was a clear break from Denis parents’ approach in the vineyard, as was the couple’s decision to have their vineyard as their sole source of income by focussing on quality. In so, a small part of this was because over the years, the couple had witnessed loved ones fall ill due to the widespread chemical use in the area, including Denis’ father who died of cancer when Denis was just 5 years old. Denis’ mother and sister eventually developed cancer decades later as well. Denis had grown up at a time when productivity was king, pesticides were embraced, and most vignerons, like his parents, also farmed wheat and other agricultural products in order to supplement their income. The Pommiers were early pioneers to eschew that mentality and quietly made bold moves to raise the bar in Chablis. They helped pave the way for a growing number of vignerons farming organically in the region. Today, the domaine has 23 ha of organic vines on prized sites, including 3 1er Crus vineyards.