Bourgogne Chardonnay
Les Ursulines 2023
The beating heart of the Maison Jean-Claude Boisset is Les Ursulines, and this wine is the quintessential expression of the winery, and is both an initiation into Burgundy and a great wine in its own right.
Origin
This ‘vast’ appellation brings together four great regions; Yonne to the north, with its fresh, mineral wines, followed by the Côte d’Or, with its rounder, deeper whites, the Côte Chalonnaise with its pleasant wines, and lastly the Mâcon region to the south, with a range of styles varying with the individual soil and exposure.
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Soils: clay-limestone
Orientation: mostly southeast / south
Average age of the vines: 25-45 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: between September 6 and 20, 2023.
The grapes were handpicked and collected in 20-kg perforated crates.
At the winery: The whole bunches of grapes were gently pressed for 2½ hours. The temperature of the must was brought down to 12°C then was immediately transferred to barrels with no settling to preserve a maximum of lees. Very long fermentation using indigenous yeasts.
Ageing
Maturation: aged for 5 months with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. A proportion of 10% new gently toasted French oak barrels were used for very delicate oaking.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a subtle, delicate touch of oak were used.
Bottling
Bottling: in March 2024.
Vintage
Fruity and generous
The 2023 vintage experienced unpredictable weather conditions, making work in the vineyards essential for grape quality. Harvesting began in early September under intense heat with the Chardonnays to avoid over-ripening, followed by the reds. The whites will spend two winters in the cellar, while the Pinot Noirs will have undergone short ageing to preserve the fruity aromas. A vintage that brings out the best in each terroir, offering wines that are bright and delicious.
Ageing potential: from 3 to 5 years.
Tasting notes
Pale yellow in color with white highlights, this wine develops very fresh aromas of citrus and white-fleshed fruit, with floral and subtle smoky notes. On the palate, this wine is fresh and lively.
