Chablis is known for a wonderful array of vine growing sites all situated across the region's rolling hills. All these sites have their own unique geological characteristics and topological aspects that contribute to the exciting, energetic, and diverse expression of Chardonnay found in Chablis.
L'Homme Mort is a Chablis Premier Cru appellation that belongs to a larger 'flag-bearing' cru, Fourchaume.
Found on the right bank of the river Serein that runs through Chablis, Fourchaume is a narrow, four kilometres long, 130 hectare, vineyard that stretches North with a mostly south-west aspect. The bedrock here consists of the famous Kimmeridgian rock formed around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic and consists mostly of limestone and can be found containing prehistoric fossilised oysters! This is believed to give the wines of Chablis their unique character and stunning mineral complexity.
The most northern part of Fourchaume (and in-fact all of Chablis's premier cru sites) is L'Homme Mort. Due to its aspect and location, the wines produced here can be much more intense, mineral, and angular than the rest of Fourchaume.
Interestingly, the name L'Homme Mort translated to English from French, literally means The Dead Man. Some say it could be a linguistic alteration from L'orme Mort meaning the dead elm, and referring to the elm tree which was sometimes used to indicate vineyard division. However, another likely reason could be the surprising discovery of sarcophagi from an ancient cemetery located in the area close to the vineyard. Whatever the reason, it's definitely an exciting and interesting story to pair with an equally thrilling wine!
Domaines producing wines from L'Homme Mort include: Domaine Laroche, Domaine d'Henri, La Chablisienne, Domaine Charlopin-Parizot, Daniel Séguinot & Filles, Alain & Cyril Gautheron, Domaine Jean Dauvissat, Domaine de Chantemerle, Domaine des Hâtes, and Château Maligny.
