Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin : Chablis 1er cru "Mont de Milieu" 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Chablis 1er Cru "Mont de Milieu" 2022 Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour of this white wine reveals a brilliant pale gold hue, subtly shot through with a few greenish glints characteristic of its youth.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with lovely freshness, blending scents of salted candied lemon with delicate white flowers. As it airs, more indulgent notes of ripe stone fruit, such as peach and pear, emerge, underpinned by an elegant mineral base and subtle hints of vanilla.

Palate
On the palate, the wine offers a silky texture and generous fruity breadth. The mid-palate gains in concentration and precision, expressing a deeply saline and mineral character reminiscent of oyster shell and iodine. The remarkably persistent finish stretches on with a crisp acidity, citrus zest and subtle woody nuances.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée will pair perfectly with a seafood platter, oysters or shellfish. It will also enhance grilled white fish or fish in a light sauce, poultry in cream sauce, as well as fresh goat cheeses or beautiful summer salads.

Serving and storage

To fully appreciate the complexity of the Chablis 1er Cru "Mont de Milieu" 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 14°C. While it can be enjoyed young for its freshness, this wine has excellent aging potential and will continue to develop in the cellar until around 2032.

The elegance and minerality of a great white Chablis

The estate

The history of the Droin family in Burgundy dates back to 1547, the year their first winemaking activities began. Today, the Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin estate oversees a 26-hectare vineyard spread across the region's finest appellations. Representing the thirteenth generation, Benoît Droin has led the estate since 2014. Combining respect for tradition with measured modernisation, the estate stands out for its exceptional mastery of terroir, producing wines of great precision and remarkable clarity.

The vineyard

This great Chablis wine comes from the prestigious Mont de Milieu climat, located on the right bank of the Serein. The south-facing plot benefits from optimal sun exposure. The vines, around fifty years old, thrive on homogeneous Kimmeridgian soils composed of marl, clay-limestone and small white pebbles rich in marine fossils. The estate practises sustainable farming, favouring soil tillage to promote microbial life and vine health.

The vintage

The year 2022 offered very favourable climatic conditions. After a spring conducive to good flowering, summer proved hot and dry, without extreme heatwaves. Some saving rains in July and August helped avoid water stress. Finally, a cooler September slowed ripening, thus preserving good acidity in the berries ahead of an early harvest that began as early as the end of August.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of the Chablis 1er Cru "Mont de Milieu" 2022 begins with whole-bunch pneumatic pressing, followed by cold enzymatic settling. Fermentation occurs naturally using indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place on fine lees for eight to ten months, with 40% in oak barrels and 60% in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in full to add roundness, followed by light filtration prior to bottling.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.