Joseph Drouhin Laforêt Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023

Laforêt Bourgogne Chardonnay comes from Joseph Drouhin, one of Burgundy's largest domaines with 78 hectares spread across the Côte de Nuits, Chablis, the Côte de Beaune and the Côte Chalonnaise. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the two regional grapes, and this white is drawn from Chardonnay across the wider AOC Bourgogne. The vineyards sit on the clay and limestone soils that define the region and give Burgundian Chardonnay its citrus drive and stony backbone. Farming is biodynamic. This is the house's regional white, made to show the grape and the appellation clearly, so the wine is handled to keep freshness with only a light passage in barrel, enough to round the texture without laying down obvious oak. Malolactic fermentation softens the sharper acidity into a rounder mouthfeel. The colour is pale gold with a green tint. The nose shows green apple, lemon and white flowers. The palate is fresh and clean, medium bodied, with orchard fruit and a mineral, gently saline finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees.