Domaine des Malandes - Chablis 1er Cru 'Fourchaume' 2022

Domaine des Malandes is a notable winery in the Chablis region of Burgundy, France. It was founded in 1972 by Lyne Marchive and has since been recognized for its commitment to producing high-quality wines reflective of the unique terroir of Chablis. The winery currently spans approximately 30 hectares, dedicated to vineyards in Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis 1er Crus, and Chablis Grands Crus, as well as vinifying two appellations of the great Auxerrois: Saint Bris and Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre white.

Starting in 1949 with the grandparents' initial harvest in their Fourchaume vineyard, the family navigated through the challenges of frost and the labor-intensive nature of traditional viticulture without mechanization. Despite these hardships, they sustained and expanded their estate, eventually passing on a legacy of 7 hectares of vines to their daughter, Lyne Marchive.

Lyne Marchive, née Tremblay, inherited most of the winery's holdings from André Tremblay, who assembled them during the 1940s and 1950s. During this time, a hectare of agricultural land suitable for growing wheat could be exchanged for two hectares of vineyard land, including premiers crus. This strategic land assembly has significantly contributed to the winery's success and growth . Over the next three decades, she significantly developed the estate, expanding the cellar, modernizing equipment, and establishing the Domaine des Malandes brand globally, with her wines gracing tables across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

In 2018, she passed the torch to her children, Richard and Amandine, who took over the operational and commercial aspects, respectively, with Marion, her eldest daughter, becoming a partner in the estate while pursuing her own wine career in California.
Richard expanded the family's winegrowing endeavors into Beaujolais, applying his international winemaking experiences from California, South Africa, and New Zealand to cultivate Moulin à Vent vines since 2007. The estate's commitment to quality and terroir is further exemplified by oenologist Guénolé Breteaudeau, who has been with Domaine des Malandes since 2006, emphasizing precision, aromatic finesse, and respect for the land in their winemaking process.

The estate employs a dedicated team to manage its vineyards and operations, focusing on sustainable practices and the health of their vines. Initiatives include soil aeration through plowing by draft horse and innovative treatments to extend the life of vines affected by esca. The conversion to Organic Farming in 2019 marks a significant milestone, with 2022 seeing the release of their first certified ORGANIC vintage, underscoring their commitment to environmental stewardship and the quality of their terroir.

"Revealing notes of sweet citrus fruit, white flowers, crisp green apple and blanched almonds, the 2022 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume is medium to full-bodied, satiny and textural, with a rich core of fruit, good concentration and bright acids. Some 40% was matured in barrel." - 92 Points, Robert Parker

Producer: Domaine des Malandes

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru

Vintage: 2022

Size: 750ml