Tasted with Didier Picq in Chichée, 28 January 2016.
Domaine Gilbert Picq et Fils
3 route de Chablis
89800 Chichée
Tel: +33 3 86 42 18 30
Didier on 2015:
“2015 – a really ‘grand millesime’ I think. We started early but luckily with no hail in Chichée – starting on the 9 September, finishing by the 15th. Alcohols were 12.5-13° very ripe but importantly with good acidity as there wasn’t much malic. So-far, the wines look ample, rich, powerful but not in any way heavy. Fermentations were finished in December, the malos too. Very hard to compare to another vintage, power like 2010, indeed 2008, 2010 and 2012 would all be comparable for some facets.”
Didier on 2014:
2014 – wines to wait for – a little! They are really the essence of Chablis; saline, iodé – really a great vintage to keep. Wines to order in magnum! Overall we had a similar yield in 2014 to 2015, some more, some less, ranging from 40-45 hl/ha.
The wines…
I’d be ashamed if I didn’t buy some of these! So magnums it was – VV, Videcourse AND Carrières – there was simply no discussion!
2014 Chablis
October bottling for this. Assembly from 8 hectares of vines – the biggest of the domaine 60,000 bottles.
Very fine, precise nose – beautiful clarity of fine points of citrus. Wide, textured and layered – a faint salinity – slowly, slowly lingering – composed, not super energetic. Super tasty, fine citrus expression – yum! Lovely finish.
From vines of 60 years-old from 3 parcels – represents almost 1 hectare, more right bank.
Wide, very floral and high-toned, adding more depth with time. Super line and really brilliant minerality.The finish almost sizzles and with brilliant width too – bravo! Really to wait for but brilliant mineral tension that rests fabulously on the tongue. Buy in magnums and have 2-3 years patience!
Same soil as Vaucoupins, delivering about 35 hl/ha, lots of millerandes – not made in 13.
Was bottled in August. Bright, ebullient agrume nose – but finely delivered. Even more mineral, deliciously citrussed behind, again mouth-watering deliciousness. Really super – today the VV is easier but this has super class – also here the patient will be hugely rewarded.
2014 Chablis 1er Vaucoupin
Same soil as the first wine but with a small change in the orientation.
A little more volume and aromatic roundness – a modest and highly attractive reductive accent to augment. Instantly more volume in the mouth – a growing width of silky but not fat flavour. Supple and involving. This is actually easier to drink today than the previous two wines. The finish to die for!
Mineral, slightly reductive elements, a certain attractive agrume fruit. More obviously grapefruit, agrume, fruit driven – perfectly ripe, not over-ripe. Direct, silken, mouth-watering, really a beautiful conversation can be had with this wine. A narrow but long and fine finish – simply super!
This won’t be bottled until May. Maybe just 400 magnums!
A deep, vibrant nose – this is really superb – but then it tightens – shame! Lithe, vibrant, dynamic, mouth-leaching, -watering flavour. A super intensity without any aggression. Really engaging finish here – just super!