2019 Chablis

Where Les Vaucoupins is discreet and reserved, Les Clos is expressive and powerful, with the full, luscious weight of the warm year behind it. 25% is raised in oak, of which only a tiny portion is new. This is a buttery, weighted, striking, and satisfying Les Clos, given exciting precision by the vintage’s wonderful acidity. Pretty smart for the money.

La Moutonne is a unique parcel – a monopole that has only had three owners since the middle ages. On an incredibly steep slope, this ancient climat straddles the two grands crus: Vaudésir (95% of the parcel) and Preuses (just 5%). It has breadth and silky depth, and sensational balance. This is one of the finest examples of Chablis Grand Cru you will find and brings with it fantastic ageing potential.

Benoît’s village Chablis is a go-to wine across the vintages. Highly sought-after for its reliability and brilliant quality, this cuvée is a thrill to bring to Lay & Wheeler this year. It has a beautifully chalky, citrus character, so typical of the Kimmeridgian soil here. Notes of oyster shell and a balanced, poised palate make this a pretty perfect wine at the price.

This is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the Droin 2019s, and one of the finest grand cru cuvées in Chablis. Delicious on the nose, with mesmerising notes of citrus, oyster brine, and green apple. But whilst the nose is already so expressive, the palate will need time to fulfill its potential. There is so much power and elegance here, it will be worth the wait.

This is a blend of five terroirs across the steep Vaillons premier cru. Blending gives Benoît the chance to introduce freshness, with higher acid fruit running through the riper parcels. 30% was fermented and aged in oak, giving a good depth of structure behind the bright and peachy fruit. It is usually one of the most forward and approachable in his cellar, and 2019 is no different, with its lovely scent of spring flowers. No need to wait here; it has the energy and tension to make it open from youth.

Séchet is a lieu dit within the Vaillons premier cru, which is prized for its floral, mineral, and delicate power. These old vines, aged between 60 and 80 years, produce one of Samuel’s most complete wines. It is freshly tight on the nose, all lemon and seaspray. This, combined with the palate’s depth, perfectly demonstrates this winemaker’s pursuit of tension and energy in his wines.

This comes from a blend of three parcels, which Samuel says each contributes complexity, richness, and minerality. That’s a pretty good combination for a Chablis. It is flinty, clean-cut, direct, and persistent, and invariably one of our best-sellers.

This comes from three parcels within the premier cru, and has been raised 80% in tank, and 20% in oak. It is one of the most open and expressive of the premiers crus. Concentrated and saline, it is intense and pure, with nicely weighted green fruit in its backbone.

William’s father planted some of these vines in 1948. Since then, the domaine has expanded its holdings, and is now the largest owner of Chablis’ greatest site. They are at the top of the hill, in a cool site, where the best soils are found. This is, simply put, a fully realised expression of everything that you could hope for from William Fèvre and the greatest site in Chablis.

This might just be the best value grand cru in Burgundy. For the sheer weight of character, depth, and precision, you couldn’t do much better for the same price anywhere else. It is smoky, taut, so intense. The palate has elevated power and freshness. This should make great old bones.

It is hard to overemphasise how much more than a standard Chablis this is. The old vines range from 40 to 68 years old, and are scattered across seven different parcels, with a variety of soil structures and exposures. It takes the prize for ‘hidden gem’ of our Chablis range, with its crunchy, lime-juice zing, and compelling mineral freshness. The palate has weight and drive. This may be a wine of humble communal classification, but it has a profound character, and deserves special attention.

Initially this is a little shy, but a quick swirl releases an intense nose of classical saline lime and apple. There is a harmony here between the ripeness of the vintage, with ripe stone fruit, and the nervous freshness of this style of Chablis. Fennel and fresh flowers weave through the texture of the wine. This is excellent.