Chablis 2021: New Releases

This is the pinnacle of the Droin wines, and one of the finest grand cru cuvées in Chablis. The wine's special name is in celebration of Louis Droin, who bought this parcel in 1920, and was first used for the 2020 cuvée. It is tight and nervous, with power bubbling beneath the still surface.

Droin’s Vosgros is always one of the most striking and characterful wines at the domaine. Vinified and raised in stainless steel, this has a rich volume, coupled with delicious purity. It shows freshly cut grass and herbaceous notes on the nose, and has wonderful intensity on the palate, with green apple and pineapple notes carrying through to a long, fine finish.

Valmur is pressed up against Les Clos; the contour of its slope, where much faces northwest, make it slightly cooler than other parts of the grand cru. 40% aged in oak gives exotic spice and stone fruit aromas. The palate is generous and rounded with amazing density and concentration, which is underpinned by the acid and mineral disposition of the vintage. The finish is remarkable, long, elegant, saline and packed full of juicy stone fruit. Very well judged indeed.

Benoît’s village Chablis is one of the best out there. It's a blend of about 14 parcels all made in tank. The 2021 is classicly mineral, flinty and more savoury in style than in previous years. It has a tension and persistence that reverberates across the palate. Nice chalky freshness, with a long, saline finish and poised citrus fruit. Brilliant value.

A fresh, chiseled Chardonnay from the master of Chablis.

Preuses is famous for its minerality, derived from its chalky soils. In Samuel’s hands it delivers this typicity in spades. It is tense and refined, with a razor-like edge to the acidity. Of all Samuel’s grands crus, this will open up the earliest, giving it an exceptional drinking window that should easily see you through a decade.

This comes from three parcels, which are spread across the top, middle, and bottom sections of the premier cru. It has attractive floral, oyster shell and fresh pear aromas. The palate is energetic with notes of white peach. There’s a nice balance between fruit and minerality in this premier cru.

Vaulorent is technically part of Fourchaume, the largest premier cru in Chablis, and is the only premier cru to share the same slope as the grand cru. It has very chalky soil and produces a wine of power and silky tension. The 2021 is so velvety and enticing, you almost don’t feel the power of the wine underneath the texture. Concentrated peach, apricot and a wonderful fresh grapefruit pithiness transcends, with a finish that is complex, long, saline and very fine - super!

William Fèvre owns half of this grand cru (6 hectares), so it’s no wonder theirs is the best example you will find. Its clay soils make a flattering, comparatively early-drinking grand cru, which will wow from early on. The nose reveals smoky aromas of green fruit, citrus and mineral reduction. The palate has great density and concentration with plenty of peach and nectarine texture. Every year we remark what good value this is, and 2021 is no different.

Maurice, William’s father planted some of these vines in 1948. Since then, the domaine has grown its holdings, and it is now the largest owner of Chablis’ greatest site with over 4 hectares. Many of the vines are situated at the top of the hill, in a cool site, where the best soils are found. White flower, citrus fruit and apple and pear blossom aromas combine. On the palate the wine is packed full of white peach, oyster brine, clementine and limestone minerality. Powerful and complex, yet so, so elegant. A true grand cru in every sense.

40 parcels scattered across 4 hectares go into this blend, from vines with an average age of 50 years. Much of these are grown around Chichee, near Vosgros, and give the quality you might expect in a premier cru. The result is a village Chablis of brilliant precision, with long volume and a saline, fresh finish.

Bessin’s Valmur is arguably the best value grand cru in Burgundy. And in spite of its great value, the wine’s potential for ageing should not be underestimated. The 2021 is an elegantly powerful, green-apple scented, chalky,saline, and persistent wine absolutely deserving of its grand cru status. This should be magnificent after a decade in the cellar, if you can wait.

With quantities down 60% in 2021, Montmains is blended with La Forêt. This was bursting with expression. It has vibrant, green apple energy, with an outstanding purity. This is mineral, saline, serious - and seriously delicious - classic Chablis.