Varietal mix 100% Chardonnay

Maturing Vinification and barrel maturing
Fermentation in barrels : Malolactic fermentation of 12% of the wine ; 8 months ageing in French oak barrels

33% new barrels
33% one-year-old barrels
33% two-year-old barrels

Tasting notes

The wine has a clear, glittering hue and a refined, elegant nose on pear, lychee and lime aromas, joined with airing by honey and aniseed notes.
From a full, lush and highly refined attack, the nicely balanced mid-palate releases citrus fruit and buttery flavours extended by white blossom notes, leading into a long, lingering and magnificently fresh finish.

2017 was the warmest year at Saint Polycarpe since 2003 and the driest since 2006. The winter was mild and dry, but a good amount of rainfall in March (132 mm) helped to replenish water reserves in the soil.

Budbreak came very early, starting on 13 March.

A morning frost on 20 April caused significant damage to two hectares of Chardonnay, representing less than 20% of the surface area planted with Chardonnay. In the other parcels, high temperatures and moderate rainfall during the spring caused the vines to flower early, between 18 and 27 May, about ten days earlier than in an average year.

The weather in June, July and August was hot, 1.5° C higher than the average, and drier than usual, with 20% less rain. Veraison occurred early, starting on 21 July and ending on 1 August.

Picking started on 25 August, 20 days earlier than in an average year, and ended on 8 September with the frost-hit parcels. Drought and frost meant that the average yield in 2017 was 30 hl/ha, 25% less than in a normal year.