Chablis 2021: New Releases

A fresh, chiseled Chardonnay from the master of Chablis.

This comes from a blend of three parcels (including an 80 year old parcel), which are picked and vinified separately. Samuel says these three parts contribute complexity, richness, and minerality to the blend. That’s a pretty good combination for a Chablis. It has a delicious depth of green apple and citrus fruit with a satisfying weight. Its persistent length is mineral, saline and refreshing.

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.

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 is the most prized vineyard in Chablis, and with good reason. The wine has a level of intensity and precision that is only possible with fruit of impeccable quality. It has a whisper of smoke on the nose, and the promise of complex evolution as this ages. With only 1 barrel made in 2021, this is a wine to secure on release.

Vaudésir sits high up on the grand cru hill, and is a sunny site whose steep incline catches the sun’s rays. The wine is deceptively full bodied, with power and precision driving through the saline, mineral finish. Fantastic energy and verve. Bravo Samuel!

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.

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.

Samuel’s Montée de Tonnerre is a blend of two 50-60 year old parcels, one of which lies alongside that of Raveneau’s. It has a wonderful, slightly spicy scent, similar to ginger. The palate is savoury and taut, with a tangy, saline freshness on the finish.