Tasted with Didier Picq in Chichée, 06 January 2020.
Domaine Gilbert Picq et Fils
3 route de Chablis
89800 Chichée
Tel: +33 3 86 42 18 30
More reports for Domaine Gilbert Picq
Didier on 2019:
“Not the volume of 2018, fortunately. But it was still a good harvest here – though 27/hl/ha average. 14 Sept starting our harvest – the flowering was fine – about 1 week later than the chardonnay of the Côte d’Or. We lacked water in this vintage, not much malic but still a good pH, lots of dried berries.”
Didier on 2018:
“2018 – another early vintage – started 05 Sept – 1 day earlier than in 2017. Some differences in maturity and the volume of grapes meant a longer harvest though – 11 days versus 6 in 2017. Extraordinary quality – but also quality. Almost 13° for the last harvested grapes. 1992 was almost such a big harvest and the quality was less but they taste great now. We didn’t make 3 harvests here but we did some VCI; the maturity was never in question. Maybe a little less vivacity than 2019. The fermentations took their time, they were faster in 2019. Yes it’s a good vintage and I’ll be able to satisfy some of the clients’ orders this year too! Add the two vintages 2018+2019 together and the average is about 55 hl/ha – so that’s a decent average for two vintages!”
The wines…
Wow – a few great wines in this cellar – as in practically every year – great work!
2018 Chablis
Bottled in November, not all this cuvée is bottled yet.
Vibrant, lime, a suggestion of reduction. Full, mineral, nice tension here despite a little richness – a super length here too – that’s very impressive.
2018 Chablis Vidécorse
Same soil as Vaucoupin, usually lots of millerandes. This from right bank.
A wider nose, less open in the depth. Beautiful clarity and structure – this has a cushioned edge to an obvious minerality. Less finishing impact but just as long – my favourite of the two.
From vines of 60 years-old from 3 parcels – represents almost 1 hectare, more right bank.
A much tighter nose but with lots of mineral depth, slowly opening, a little floral note poking out. Fuller, properly mineral, nicely textured. A wave of finishing flavour – it’s a baby, but that’s great!
2018 Chablis 1er Vaucoupin
Same soil as the first wine but with a small change in the orientation. In bottle
A nose of width and clarity – though a small nose. A little more scale in the mouth, melting with mineral flavour – I love the balance of these wines – here with a more overt saline finishing note. Mouth-watering, excellent and rather classic for an 18 – super!
Not yet bottled.
Mineral, vibrant – yes! Ooh – yes! This is a wine if scale, of intensity of a mouth-watering large wave of zesty finishing flavour. Great wine – have a little patience.
This aroma is a little more compact again – yellow citrus, faintly spiced. Ooh, so incisive, that is great again – intense, rippling, almost electric flavour. A dynamic wine – that won’t be bottled until March. Bravo.