Christophe Patrice Petit Chablis 2024 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
Sourced from higher-elevation parcels on the plateau above the village of Beine, the 2024 Petit Chablis reflects the distinct personality of the region’s younger Portlandian limestone soils—less fossil-rich than Kimmeridgian but still deeply calcareous, bright, and mineral-driven. These well-draining slopes, exposed to persistent winds and long daylight hours, help preserve acidity and ensure slow, even ripening, a crucial advantage in the warmer 2024 season. The relatively thin topsoil forces the Chardonnay vines to root deeply for moisture, concentrating flavor while maintaining classical Chablis tension. Cooler nighttime temperatures at elevation lend the finished wine a crystalline quality, reinforcing both aromatic purity and structural precision. This terroir consistently produces some of the most energetic and approachable expressions in Christophe Patrice’s lineup, and the 2024 vintage delivers that signature lifted style with extra depth.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Christophe Patrice continues his commitment to clean, transparent winemaking in 2024, focusing entirely on stainless steel to preserve the raw mineral identity of Petit Chablis. After gentle pneumatic pressing, the must is kept at cool temperatures to protect aromatics during fermentation, which proceeds slowly with native yeasts whenever possible—encouraging complexity without adding weight. The wine rests on fine lees for several months, undergoing bâtonnage only as needed to build subtle mid-palate texture. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally and fully, softening the brisk acidity just enough to create a balanced, rounded edge without muting the wine’s inherent drive. No oak influence is introduced at any stage, ensuring that the final bottling remains a pure expression of fruit, stone, and soil. The 2024 bottling showcases the estate’s hallmark clarity, with a focus on freshness, precision, and youthful vibrancy.

Tasting Notes
The 2024 Petit Chablis opens with bright, inviting aromatics—lime zest, crisp green apple, crushed white flowers, and a delicate whisper of pear skin. Beneath the fruit lies a strong mineral signature: wet stones, chalk dust, and a saline breeze that immediately telegraphs its Chablis origins. On the palate, the wine is taut and electric, driven by citrus—lemon peel and tangy mandarin—supported by a fine thread of minerality running straight through the mid-palate. A gentle leesy creaminess provides subtle contrast, never overpowering the wine’s linear structure. The finish is clean and persistent, marked by citrus pith, flint, and a lingering note of sea spray. This is a quintessentially fresh and youthful Petit Chablis—vivid, lifted, and built for pure drinking pleasure—yet with enough concentration and extract in 2024 to offer admirable depth for its category.

Food Pairing & Service
The crisp, saline profile of this Petit Chablis makes it exceptionally versatile at the table. Classic pairings include oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, or any preparation of white fish—especially ceviche, crudo, or simply grilled fillets with lemon and herbs. It also shines alongside fresh goat cheese, sushi, vegetable tempura, and light pasta dishes with herbs or spring vegetables. For an elevated match, pair with scallops, razor clams, or Dover sole, where the wine’s mineral backbone enhances delicate flavors. Serve well-chilled—around 45–48°F (7–9°C)—in a white Burgundy or all-purpose stem to allow the wine’s aromatic detail and tension to fully express themselves. Although meant for early enjoyment, it will remain fresh and lively over the next 2–3 years.