The 2013 Chablis Blanchots Réserve de l'Obediencerie Grand Cru is noticeably deeper in color than the regular bottling. There is also a touch more delineation with fresh green apple, flint, a touch of wilted petals and acacia. The palate is fresh and vibrant with crisp acidity, just the right amount of bitter lemon, very harmonious and elegant with a sophisticated finish that lingers long in the mouth. There is nother extravagant here, but out of all Laroche's wines this demonstrates the most class.

I tasted the 2011 Chablis Les Blanchots Reserve de l’Obedience from a combination of lots that represents an approximation of the final blend. Layers of expressive tropical fruit, spices and French oak are woven together beautifully in this voluminous, opulent offering. This is yet another intriguing 2011 from Laroche. The 2011 is aging in approximately 85% oak and 15% steel. Anticipated maturity: 2014+. (Not yet released) Domaine Laroche is back in the US market after an absence of several years. The house style is marked by a search for considerable textural richness, which makes these some of the deeper, more opulent wines made in Chablis. Over the last few years, Domaine Laroche has begun to focus on organic viticulture and increased the use of indigenous yeasts, both of which are rare in Chablis. All of the Domaine Laroche wines are bottled under screwcap, also rare in Chablis, especially at this level. Winemaker Gregory Viennois told me the 2011 harvest started on September 12, towards the later side for the village. Viennois noted that potential alcohols and acidities were quite similar for both 2010 and 2011, which is unusual among the top domaines in Chablis. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

White truffles, orange zest and mint lead to layers of complex, nuanced fruit in the 2010 Chablis Les Blanchots Reserve de l’Obedience. This is an especially full-bodied, racy Chablis backed up by serious richness to match its nuanced, multi-dimensional personality. Laroche’s Reserve de l’Obedience is one of the most distinctive wines I tasted on my trip to Chablis this year. The 2010 was aged in 80% oak and 20% steel. Anticipated maturity: 2012+. Domaine Laroche is back in the US market after an absence of several years. The house style is marked by a search for considerable textural richness, which makes these some of the deeper, more opulent wines made in Chablis. Over the last few years, Domaine Laroche has begun to focus on organic viticulture and increased the use of indigenous yeasts, both of which are rare in Chablis. All of the Domaine Laroche wines are bottled under screwcap, also rare in Chablis, especially at this level. Winemaker Gregory Viennois told me the 2011 harvest started on September 12, towards the later side for the village. Viennois noted that potential alcohols and acidities were quite similar for both 2010 and 2011, which is unusual among the top domaines in Chablis. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

Laroche’s flagship 2009 Chablis Les Blanchots Reserve de l’Obedience is a selection of the estate’s best barrels from Blanchots. It possesses considerable depth and density, with a rich tapestry of fruit that tends towards the tropical end of the spectrum. It isn’t markedly better or more complex than the regular bottling, per se, just quite different in style and personality. Anticipated maturity: 2012+. Domaine Laroche is back in the US market after an absence of several years. The house style is marked by a search for considerable textural richness, which makes these some of the deeper, more opulent wines made in Chablis. Over the last few years, Domaine Laroche has begun to focus on organic viticulture and increased the use of indigenous yeasts, both of which are rare in Chablis. All of the Domaine Laroche wines are bottled under screwcap, also rare in Chablis, especially at this level. Winemaker Gregory Viennois told me the 2011 harvest started on September 12, towards the later side for the village. Viennois noted that potential alcohols and acidities were quite similar for both 2010 and 2011, which is unusual among the top domaines in Chablis. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661