2004 Verget Chablis Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes de Vaulorens

Maison Verget is a negociant based in Macon, Burgundy. It was founded in 1990 by Jean-Marie Guffens, a Belgian who moved to France in 1976 with his wife to learn French and study wine. After studying viticulture in France and working for other winemakers, they started making their own wines under the label Domain Guffens-Heynen. But Jean-Marie also wanted had ideas about being a negociant, and today his idealistic and demanding approach to vinification have made the Verget “one of Burgundy’s most talked-about sources of white Burgundy,” according to Robert M. Parker Jr. Verget’s broad portfolio of wines win high ratings from Parker and others.

Fourchaume is a Premier Cru vineyard located just to the north of Chablis’ Grand Crus. The 84-acre hillside parcel is considered one of the best of the Chablis Premier Crus, and some people feel it should be elevated to Grand Cru. Within Fourchaume there are several important climats, or sub-parcels, including Vaupulent, Cote de Fontenay, L’Homme Mort and Vaulorent. The Fourchaume soil is primarily a composition of limestone, clay and fossilized oyster shells.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.