Domaine du Colombier, Petit Chablis (Burgundy, France) 2018

 In this Petit Chablis the aromas of apple, white peach, citrus and stony minerality are enticing, and these same characteristics follow through on the palate as well.  The finish is unstinting, with more of that minerality adding to the pleasure.  Produced from the Chardonnay grapes that define the Chablis and Petit Chablis regions, Domaine du Colombier is unlikely to remind you much of any Chardonnay from, say, California.  Located in the way northern section of Burgundy these wines are leaner, crisper and more subtle but without being aggressively tart.  This wine is also somewhat lower in alcohol — 12% — than ubiquitous California Chardonnay which typically ranges from 13.5% to 14.5%.  Petit Chablis was created in 1944 to include the newer vines being planted on top of the hills.  Petit Chablis is almost always fermented in stainless steel and rarely sees wood.