Chablis, "Saint Martin" Domaine Laroche, FR, 2024

The vineyards of Domaine Laroche are spread out across the entire region of Chablis, located in the northernmost section of Burgundy, 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Paris, between Champagne and the Côte d'Or.

Chardonnay is a vigorous variety that therefore requires careful fruit-quantity control. The Domaine Laroche philosophy relies on one-man plots, meaning that one person is wholly responsible for the care of a single vineyard parcel, from the pruning, soil conditioning and control of yields to the sorting of the harvest.

The area's unique Kimmeridgian soil contains just the right amount of limestone to impart the mineral characteristics that have become so coveted in Chablis wines. This soil is also composed of the correct levels of gravel necessary for good drainage and a substratum of clay to preserve enough water for the health of the vines. Good orientation towards the sun, in a region that seldom suffers from excessive heat, also contributes to the excellent balance of these wines.