Domaine Moreau-Naudet, Chablis (Stéphan Moreau)

Background

The Naudet family have been making wine since the 17th century, but Domaine Moreau-Naudet itself was established in 1950, upon the marriage of Mademoiselle Marie Naudet and Monsieur René Moreau. The domaine has passed from father to son, and since taking over from his father Roger in 1991, Stéphane Moreau (pictured) has gained huge and wide-spread recognition for his wines, and is now firmly established as one of the top producers in Chablis.

Size: 22 hectares, made up of:
2.50 ha - Petit Chablis
13.5 ha - Chablis village
1.70 ha - 1er Cru Vaillons
0.65 ha - 1er Cru Montmains
1.84 ha - 1er Cru Forets
0.90 ha - 1er Cru Montee de Tonnerre
0.42 ha - 1er Cru Cote de Jouan
0.60 ha – Grand Cru Valmur

Viticultural and vinification methods
Stéphane refuses to spray weed killers or any treatment against rot, and has used only organic fertilisers in weak doses for the last 15 years.
He chooses to harvest slightly later than his neighbours, so as to ensure perfect ripeness, and had reduced yields by about 30%. Harvest is by hand, and while his Village and Petit Chablis spend 11 months in tank, he uses a small proportion of large old barrels on his 1er and Grand Cru Chablis, so as to achieve a softening, stabilising effect on the wines.
Stéphane achieves additional complexity and flesh by holding the wine on the lees for much longer than his peers, even his straight village wine spends 18 months on the lees. He also refuses to ‘tweak’ the wines in difficult vintages. The result is fine, classic Chablis with a definite mineral and flint character.

Wines
Chablis
Chablis Vieilles Vignes lieu dit ‘Pargues’
Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons
Chablis 1er Cru Montmains
Chablis 1er Cru Fôrets
Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
Chablis Grand Cru Valmur