2022 Louis Michel - Chablis Forets

Philippe Girard is a small, family-run estate known for producing high-quality, traditionally made wines. The domaine itself is located in Savigny-les-Beaune, but their 22 hectares of vineyard holdings span from the Côte Chalonnaise to the Côte de Nuits. Saint-Aubin is directly adjacent to both Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, enjoying the same climate and soil conditions as its famous neighbors but at a more affordable price point.

The Girard family has been cultivating vineyards for generations, with Philippe continuing the tradition. His approach to winemaking emphasizes minimal intervention and respect for the terroir. He combines modern techniques with traditional practices, resulting in wines that are both expressive and balanced.

Pronounced Ar-jess, this comes from the lieu-dit of Babio to the northeast of the village (Karst comes from the north-northwest). The name is an homage to the ancient Greeks, who may have been the first to make wine in Gaul; it's their word for clay. The soil here is clay-limestone, but the emphasis is on the clay, and it's the coupe-roses clay once used by Françoise's forefathers to make roof tiles. This heavy topsoil lays 1-2 meters over limestone bedrock, nurturing just over three acres of Roussanne and just over one of Grenache Blanc. Harvest is by hand, the grapes pass over a selection table, fermentation is spontaneous (20% in neutral 500L demi-muids, the rest in steel), blending takes place in early December, and bottling is in the following spring. No fining or filtration, no SO2 or other additions.