Steel Chardonnay 2018

The end of the growing cycle took place during the very hot, dry conditions that prevailed during the month of August. July had seen a few thundery rainstorms here and there, but these were very localized events. Overall, levels of summer rainfall was notably low in Beaujolais, the Maconnais and Chablis. Ripening, therefore, advanced slowly – by the end of August, the berries were still fairly firm, with thick skins. Some of the younger plants and those vines with inadequate hydric reserves suffered from a lack of water, but the main vineyards coped well with the dry conditions as these conditions had prevailed for several weeks already and the vines had learned to adapt to them. During the visits to the vineyards at the end of August, the grapes were in more or less perfect health, and that a generous harvest was promised.

This wine shows high-toned aromas of citrus, mandarin orange, white flower, pear and apple, with flinty minerality. Surprisingly concentrated and balanced for such a young wine, the flavors on the palate are at once delicate, powerful and rich.

• Minerality of the Mâconnais and the body and flavor of the Cote d’Or
• Fresh, light, crisp and refreshing
• Vinified without oak to retain the wine’s elegant aromas and clean, fresh character