Pierrick Laroche Maison des Hâtes Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 2022

Bougros is the last Grand Cru on the western side of the hill and enjoys a south to south-westerly exposition. Pierrick’s parcel comes from the western end of Bougros, towards the top of the hill where the slope is only about 5%. Vinified in stainless steel, it was matured for 8 months in one old 600 litre demi-muid and one older 228 litre barrique adding an extra dimension of complexity to complement the profoundly concentrated fruit from this exceptional site. An outstanding Grand Cru.

’Back to a contract, one barrel and one demi-muid for elevage. Candle protection used here, just above the section that uses the aspersion. Hmm, that’s not powerful but it is beautifully inviting. Larger scale – of course! A wine of generous concentration but always juicily melting with flavour at the edges. Clearly the most complex and changing, long finish..’ Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report, January 2024.

Pierrick Laroche and Domaine des Hâtes

Located in the north-west sector of Chablis in the village of Maligny, Pierrick Laroche now runs this family estate which was established by his father in the 1970s. His father gradually gained planting rights and slowly added to the family vineyard holdings over time. Today the current size of the estate is around 25 hectares. In 2010 Pierrick produced his first vintage to great acclaim (his father had previously sold the grapes to La Chablisienne).

Pierrick has a degree in oenology from Beaune and after graduating he travelled the world, doing various internships to gain experience before returning home to start making wine and take over the family vineyards for himself.

His cellars are built into the side of a hill in the village enabling much of the work to be done by gravity. Vinifications are done classically in stainless steel tanks with some of the Premier and Grand Cru wines aged in used barrels for a small portion of each cuvée where the wines undergo full malolactic. His oldest plot of vines is Les Châtillons, which was planted in early 1970s and is located just behind the hill of Grand Crus. This cuvée also has a small portion of barrel ageing, employed to great effect.

Beginning with vintage 2016, Pierrick began a tiny négoce operation to augment his range, buying must from friends farming predominately on the left side of the river. These wines now include the premier crus of Beauroy, Beauregard, and Vau de Vey, along with the grand cru of Bougros. In 2019, Pierrick inherited 8 acres of vines from his father-in-law in the southern sector of Chablis around the village of Courgis. This includes Petit Chablis, 5.5 acres of Chablis, and just over half an acre of the premier cru Les Butteaux.