Vintage Character 2023 delivered one of the largest crops on record in Chablis, in places larger than any recent year. The summer was rainy and gave juicy grapes, then a sunny, hot end to the season ripened the fruit. The wines are generous and balanced, with quantity and quality arriving together for once. In 2023, the Bourgogne Chardonnay from Domaine des Malandes reflects that season. Bourgogne Chardonnay is the regional appellation, and here it comes from a Chablis estate in the Yonne in northern Burgundy. The Bourgogne level covers the regional appellation, which is the broadest in the hierarchy.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing Lemon, pear and white flowers lead, with a light mineral note. It is dry and medium-to-full-bodied, with medium-high acidity. The palate is fresh and clean, with moderate weight and a crisp finish. It is made for drinking within a few years of release. Steamed fish, prawns and chicken salads are easy partners. Serve at about 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, and avoid over-chilling so the aromas can open. Chardonnay is a flexible grape that reflects its site, from the steely edge of Chablis to the richness of the Côte de Beaune. It also suits a glass at the start of a meal, since the acidity wakes up the palate.
Winery Background Domaine des Malandes was created in 1972 by Lyne Marchive, whose father, André Tremblay, understood the potential of the Grand Cru vineyards at a time when most producers were selling these frost-prone parcels. The family estate farms about 29 hectares in Chablis and is known for freshness, finesse and minerality from Kimmeridgian soils. Guénolé Breteaudeau has made the wines since 2006, using oak in a delicate and measured way to support Marchive's vision of pure, precise and elegant Chablis. This wine offers the estate's clean, mineral style at an everyday level.