Chablis Côte aux Prêtres AOC 2022

A dry Chardonnay from eastern Chablis that holds exotic fruit and chalky rigor in balance. In the glass, an intense golden yellow with silvery highlights. The nose is juicy and open-hearted: ripe red apple, orange, lime, star fruit and mango, heightened by ginger and coriander. Dry pastry, vanilla and freshly churned butter come from the barrel, with iodine-salty accents laid over everything.

The Côte aux Prêtres climat takes its name from the old pilgrim route from Vézelay to Compostela that passes nearby. It sits on a dome sloping away to the west, its gentle incline constantly exposed to moderate wind. The soil consists of Kimmeridgian limestone scree and weathered layers that release crystals and minerals. Athénais de Béru farms the estate's vineyards at 300 metres of altitude biodynamically, using horses instead of heavy machinery.

Pure Chardonnay, 13.5% ABV, dry. Fermented spontaneously with its own yeasts, aged in small oak barrels, with as little cellar intervention as possible.

Taut, pronounced, with compact minerality. From the decanter the nose's aromas return, joined by oyster shell and lemongrass. With every sip the salivation grows stronger; an intense nose and a demanding palate create great tension.

With scallops on seaweed salad with orange segments, with lukewarm salmon with pink pepper on mango slices with mushroom salad, and with baked celeriac with pine nuts and lemon dressing.

The label carries the Demeter logo. At present, decant if possible and do not serve too cold.