2023 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos, Hommage à Louis, Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin

2023 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos, Hommage à Louis, Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin

As ever, this is the pinnacle of the Droin wines, and one of the finest grand cru cuvées in Chablis. Benoît says it needs 20 years to reach its peak. I’ll keep my drink dates a little earlier, though I’ve no doubt the wine could peak at 20 years if you have the patience. It is tight and nervous, with weighty power underneath. The special name of this cuvée is in celebration of Louis Droin, who bought this parcel in 1920. The three vintages of 2020, 2021, and 2022 all carry Hommage à Louis on their labels. The powers that be briefly redrew the boundaries, but have since admitted their error, and from the 2023 vintage onwards, Benoît once again has the right to label this Les Clos, although he has continued to use Hommage à Louis as well.

Critic score
94.75/100 info

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Wine details

  • Region & country
    Les Clos, Chablis, France
  • Grape
    Chardonnay
  • Maturity
    Young 2026 - 2044info
  • Colour
    White
  • Sweetness
    Dry
  • Style
    Still
  • Unit Volume
    Bottle (75cl.)
  • ABV
    13%
  • Classification
    Grand Cru

Tasting notes

I believe that the authorities have now confirmed that all of Benoît Droin’s plots are properly within the boundaries of Les Clos, though Benoît will continue to use the Hommage epithet alongside the vineyard name. the 2023 Hommage à Louis has a clear and classic nose after the pale lemon colour. Brilliant balanced juice, the Clos transcends the vintage. All white fruit of course but some crunch to the white apple fruit. Juicy and generous but still with a fine firm classic core. Fabulous finish.

Jasper Morris (December 2024)
94—97/100

The 2023 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru Hommage à Louis has the best bouquet amongst the Grand Crus from Droin. Very vibrant and intense, with crushed limestone and flint. The palate is well balanced with melon, grapefruit, orange rind and quince on the entry, building nicely towards a slightly oily-textured finish. I can see this aging well in bottle - more complexity on the finish compared to say, the Valmur or Grenouilles.

Neal Martin, vinous.com (June 2024)
94/100

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