Famille Descombe Domaine Passy le Clou Chablis 2023

The story of the Descombe family as a wine producer began over a hundred years ago in 1905, when François Descombe was the mayor of the village of Saint Etienne des Oullières near Mont Brouilly. With Marine, the fifth generation representative, the vineyards have been expanded, and today the family has production not only in Beaujolais, but also in Chablis and Northern Rhône. 

In addition to viticulture, each farm also takes care of nurturing the biodiversity of the environment by, for example, caring for forests. The family's plans are to plant up to 15,000 trees around their vineyards and partly in their place, because the trees protect the vineyards from both wind and frost, but also create a favorable habitat for insects, birds, bats and other small predators.

Grape Varietals & Region: 100% Chardonnay from Chablis in Burgundy, France. The fruit is planted on stony, clay-limestone soil, rich in Kimmeridgian. A harsh continental climate with a dry and hot July.

Located in the Yonne department, the Chablis vineyard runs along a small river, the Serein. Domaine Passy le Clou, owned by the Descombe family, now has 21 plots scattered throughout the Chablis region, each vinified independently to capture the terroir's unique character.

Taste Profile: Golden yellow. An expressive, floral nose with a hint of white fruits (apple, pear), with mineral & tangy notes on the palate. It ends with elegant structure

Winemaking Process: Strict sorting of the harvest upon arrival at the cellar. Pressing is done using pneumatic presses (very low pressing pressure) to avoid any risk of quality deterioration. Static settling is carried out for 24 to 48 hours. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Aging on fine lees for 15 to 18 months.