Domaine des Hâtes, Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume “L’Homme Mort”

Life is incomplete without a top-shelf Chablis in your glass, but in a region that boasts 40 different Premier Cru vineyards, I’ll be the first to admit that finding the right one can be a daunting task. We’re here to help: Producers and critics have long touted “Fourchaume'' as one of the top 1er Crus, if not the best, and some have even been vocal about elevating it to Grand Cru status.Personally, I’m all for it because (1) the talent of vignerons here is off the charts, (2) the best wines have spent decades proving their immense cellar potential and prismatic depth, and (3) the terroir is similar to Chablis’ prized cluster of Grand Crus in both sun exposure and contour. That said, Fourchaume is still a sprawling vineyard with lots of variation—it’s divided into a number of lieu-dits, a few of which have separated themselves (rightly so) from the pack. Again, that’s where we come in: the climat of “L’Homme Mort” is among the best—perfectly positioned with ample sun and slope, enriche