Wine maker notes

It is very possible that Yves Grassa, the proprietor of Domaine Lalande, could be considered one of France’s finest white winemakers. Although this estate is located in a region known more for producing fine Armagnac brandies, Yves has been dedicated to growing “alternative” varietals and producing some of the freshest white wines to be found anywhere. Almost twenty years ago Yves planted 60 acres of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in this southwestern appellation. He used great care in selecting very good sites, and then planted the vines densely. Crop-thinning, investments in modern equipment and meticulous winemaking are behind the success of this delicious Chardonnay. All of the fruit for this wine is hand-harvested in the early morning, while the grapes are still cool and firm and then whole-cluster pressed to extract the maximum flavors and aromatics. Lalande Chardonnay is barrel made in 1/3 each new, 1-year, and 2-year oak casks. Harvest normally takes place during the first part of September, with the wines kept on the lees and stirred regularly (batonnage) until being bottled unfiltered around the first of April each year. The Lalande Chardonnay is rich in flavor, but not at all heavy.