Charly Nicolle Chablis 1er Cru “Les Fourneaux” is a higher-tier Chablis, made from 100% Chardonnay. This is a wine where the classic chalky minerality of Chablis meets the greater depth, ripeness and texture of Premier Cru level. “Les Fourneaux” is a special site for Charly Nicolle: it lies in the village of Fleys, the producer's own home, and the soil is limestone-rich clay over Kimmeridgian bedrock. Compared with many Chablis wines, this site gives a slightly richer and rounder style. Because the soil is more clay-rich and the climate slightly warmer than in the rest of the vineyard (hence the name “Les Fourneaux”, meaning ovens), Chablis Premier Cru “Les Fourneaux” is a richly flavoured wine that is easy to enjoy even when opened young. The average age of the vines is over 30 years.

The aroma offers ripe lemon, yellow apple, white peach, ripe fruit, acacia blossom, almond and a light honeyed note, chalky minerality and a saline finish. On the palate it is dry, fuller than Petit Chablis or regular Chablis, with very good acidity and a longer, deeper finish

Unlike Petit Chablis and the “Per Aspera” style, this is not a stainless-steel-only wine. Les Fourneaux matures for 12-16 months on the lees, with part of the wine ageing in oak (demi-muids) and part in inox tanks, which adds more texture and complexity but does not turn it into a buttery California-style Chardonnay. All Domaine Charly Nicolle Chablis wines have undergone 100% malolactic fermentation.

Domaine Charly Nicolle is located in the village of Fleys in the Chablis region. It is a family winery focused on the pure expression of Chardonnay and the Chablis terroir. Their wines range from fresh Petit Chablis to Premier Cru level, with the aim of showing the character of the different growing sites.