2021 Pierrick Laroche Domaine des Hates Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume l'Homme Mort, Burgundy

The 2021 Pierrick Laroche Domaine des Hâtes Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume l’Homme Mort is a striking expression of one of Chablis’ most characterful premier cru vineyards. Pierrick Laroche, who established Domaine des Hâtes in 2010 after taking over his family’s vineyards, has quickly gained a reputation for producing wines of clarity, depth and precision. Farming with care and minimal intervention, Laroche focuses on letting the limestone-rich soils of Chablis show their full voice in the glass.

The Fourchaume 1er Cru is one of Chablis’ most famous sites, lying on the right bank of the Serein River. The sub-climat l’Homme Mort sits at its northern edge, producing wines of particular tension and mineral drive. The 2021 vintage, marked by cooler conditions and smaller yields, brought superb freshness and detail, ideal for highlighting the site’s terroir. Fermentation and maturation take place primarily in stainless steel, with a touch of old oak, to build texture while retaining purity.

In the glass, it is pale gold with green reflections. The nose is lifted and complex, offering citrus zest, white peach and green apple layered with notes of chalk, oyster shell, flint and acacia blossom. On the palate it is taut and mineral-driven, with citrus and orchard fruit wrapped around a spine of vibrant acidity and saline minerality. A touch of lees influence brings texture, leading to a long, precise and focused finish.

Food pairings lean into its energy and saline edge: freshly shucked oysters, grilled scallops, Dover sole with lemon, or vegetarian dishes such as asparagus with olive oil or zucchini flowers. It also makes a fine partner for young goat’s cheese. With 8 to 12 years of cellaring potential, it will gain richness, honeyed depth and nutty complexity while maintaining its mineral core.