The Estate

A young and dynamic winemaker, Charly hails from a winemaking family in Chablis. He started his own domaine in 2001, producing small quantities initially before gradually increasing in size as he inherited vineyards from his parents. Based in the village of Fleys, and with the domaine being run together with her wife Lucie Thieblemont, the family now farms about 13 hectares, with holdings in the Premier Crus of Les Forneaux and Mont de Milieu, as well as parcels in Petit Chablis and AOC Chablis. They also produce a Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs that benefits from Charly’s stint in Champagne before joining the family domaine.

The wines here are classical Chablis in style, vibrant but with increasing intensity as we move from the Village to Premier Crus. The wines demonstrate consistent quality across different vintages, and Charly’s winemaking skills were recognised by being awarded the Young Talents Trophy in the Chablis category in 2019 (GJPV Bourgogne Tropée Jeunes Talents) following a blind tasting by 70 wine industry professionals.

Viticulture and Vinification

The cold climate and steep slopes on some of the vineyards has prevented the domaine from full organic farming practices, but it has long practised sustainable farming with chemical weeding banned, and treatment against disease only used when necessary.

The wines are mostly aged in stainless steel, but with 10-25% aged in a mix of 400ml to 500ml barrels that are from new to 4 years old. Oak ageing is limited to a maximum of 25% for the Premier Crus to preserve Chablis typicity and prevent the wines from being too rich in texture. The wines are aged for a minimum of 1 year, always with fine lees to add texture and complexity, with Premier Crus seeing additional 2 to 4 months of ageing depending on the vintage.

Wines Produced

petit chablis

From a 1.5 hectares east facing parcel at the top of a plateau surrounded by Chablis vineyards. The only Chablis wine in the range to not see any oak.

chablis per aspera

From 12 parcels across Chablis that sees around 10% oak. The biggest production from the range.

chablis ante mcmlxxx (Vieilles Vignes)

This is the old vines cuvée from vines planted before Charly’s birth year of 1980 (Ante MCMLXXX). Here, the vines range from being planted in 1965 to 1978, typically with 700 cases only produced. This sees around 15% oak.

chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux

From 10 parcels totalling 4 hectares. This warmer vineyard produces a more generous style of Chablis, this was aged in a mix of stainless steel and oak.

chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux ante mcmlxxx

From 2 parcels of Fourneaux that again predates 1980, probably planted in the 1950s. Richer than the regular Fourneaux with more ageing potential.

chablis 1er cru mont de milieu

From old vines of 40–80 years of age on 1 hectare of Kimmeridgian marl, and aged in a mix of stainless steel and older oak barrels. Built to age, but enjoyable in its youth too.

chablis grand cru bourgros

From purchased fruit with average vine age of 50 years old.

bourgogne tonnerre

vézelay

Crémant de bourgogne blanc de noirs <brut> or <brut zéro>

Having worked in Champagne before joining the family Domaine, this Crémant is produced entirely in house, from vinification to disgorgment.

Critical Praise

Winner of The Young Talents Trophy in the Chablis categoary in 2019 (GJPV Bourgogne Tropée Jeunes Talents).

“A pleasure in 2021 – and the entry wines are not just bargains – they are great and worth a special search!.”

Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country:  France

Region:  Burgundy

Appellation:  Chablis

Founded:  2001

Annual Production: 10,000 cases

Farming: Sustainable with HVE certification