Domaine Dominique Gruhier Bourgogne-Tonnerre Blanc 2023

The original winery was burnt down by an arsonist, the rebuilt cellar collapsed from a worker's mistake, the 1991 frost that wiped out the entire crop, the threats of a local co-op over his vineyards and the entirety of the 1992 wines being faulty due to poorly sealed concrete tanks... just to name a few challenges! Dominique really had to tough it out to make his dream come true. With time came less drama and more focus on developing his craft and that's when the wines really started to shine. This 2018 Chardonnay is full of ripe lemon and pear notes without any overt oak notes (only 10% aged in old oak barrels, rest in stainless). Hints of quince and minerality lingering in the layers. Lovely, just lovely.

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay from multiple plots, planted on steep slopes (up to a 45% grade), facing southeast, northwest and southwest. Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils embedded with oyster fossils. Vines of 40+ years.

Tasting Notes: Aromas of exotic fruit salad, pineapple sprinkled with citrus with a hint of vanilla. Sweet notes of cuckoo flowers. Light woody, hint of white chocolate. Rich and delicious on the palate with a saline finish. Supple and creamy without heaviness.