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.

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.

A marine influenced bouquet combines with touches of granite and a light smoky note (the oak came predominantly from Chassagne as well as Hermitage). The palate is well balanced with a fine line of acidity, focused with a touch of pear complementing the citrus fruit. The finish is long, fine and mineral.

Séchet is a lieu-dit within the Vaillons premier cru, which is prized for its floral, mineral, and delicate power. These old vines had belonged to his grandmother, and are now aged between 60 and 80 years. Aged in tank, this sees no wood. It is complex on the nose with a vibrant energy and plenty of green orchard fruit. The palate is long, saline, mineral, iodine and packed full of concentrated, fresh fruit.

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!

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.

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.

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.