Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin : Chablis Grand cru "Valmur" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Chablis Grand Cru "Valmur" 2023 Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin

Tasting notes

Colour
This white wine reveals a brilliant golden-yellow colour, with beautiful luminous intensity.

Nose
Wonderfully complex, the aromatic bouquet opens with mineral freshness and citrus aromas. It reveals typical notes of oyster shell and gunflint, enhanced by delicate touches of verbena and mint. Aromas of white-fleshed fruits, such as peach and apricot, complete this harmonious ensemble.

Palate
The palate offers a frank and lively expression of the terroir, marked by flavours of citrus and pastry cream. There is an elegant balance between acidic tension and a softer texture. The remarkably long finish is distinguished by subtle smoky notes.

Food and wine pairing

This great wine pairs wonderfully with white meats in sauce, lobster, or well-aged cheeses. It also perfectly accompanies a seafood platter, oysters, langoustines, or delicate fish terrines.

Service and storage

This Chablis Grand Cru "Valmur" 2023 can be enjoyed after a few years in the cellar, but will reveal its full complexity after around a decade of patience. It can be kept for enjoyment until approximately 2038.

The elegance and mineral power of a great Chablis wine

The estate

The history of Domaine Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin begins in 1547, marking nearly five centuries of winemaking heritage at the heart of the Chablis region, in Burgundy. Today, Benoît Droin, representing the fourteenth generation, has been at the helm of the estate since 1999. The estate spans a 26-hectare vineyard spread across the four levels of Chablis appellations. The family's philosophy is rooted in sustainable viticulture, regular soil work, and a tailored approach that allows each terroir to express its own identity with authenticity.

The vineyard

This wine comes from the Valmur climat, located at the heart of Chablis' grand crus. The estate cultivates a plot of just over one hectare here, facing south to southwest and forming a gentle amphitheatre shape. The vines, averaging around fifteen years of age, thrive on Kimmeridgian marl soils dotted with small oyster fossils. The composition of the soil varies with altitude, with deeper, browner soils at the bottom of the slope, and a finer, whiter, more chalky structure higher up.

The vintage

The year 2023 was marked by a complex growing season and difficult weather conditions that persisted almost until harvest. This cooler climate, however, helped preserve beautiful natural acidity, while reduced yields favoured optimal concentration in the berries that reached full maturity.

Winemaking and aging

The production of this Chablis Grand Cru "Valmur" 2023 begins with gentle pneumatic pressing, followed by enzymatic settling at low temperature. Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts, partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation is then systematically carried out. The blending of the different lots takes place after eight to ten months of maturation, before a possible light fining and gentle filtration prior to bottling.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay