Drouhin Vaudon : Chablis Réserve de Vaudon 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chablis Réserve de Vaudon 2021 from Drouhin Vaudon

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a pale yellow hue with green highlights, typical of a cool-climate Chardonnay and reflecting the wine’s youth.

Nose

The nose opens with citrus aromas, notably lemon and grapefruit, accompanied by vegetal notes of fern. Floral hints of white flowers mingle with a pronounced minerality reminiscent of chalk, flint and wet stone, the hallmark of Kimmeridgian terroir.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is lively and energetic while retaining a certain suppleness. Bright acidity shapes the palate with precision, while stone-fruit notes—especially apricot and peach—add roundness. Minerality carries through the tasting to a persistent, saline finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis is an ideal match for seafood, especially fresh oysters, as well as delicate fish such as sea bass or sole. It also pairs beautifully with shellfish, scallop preparations, or a fresh goat cheese.

Serving and cellaring

The Chablis Réserve de Vaudon 2021 can be enjoyed now or cellared until around 2029. It is best served at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

An expressive, mineral Chablis by Drouhin Vaudon

The estate

Drouhin Vaudon is part of Maison Joseph Drouhin, founded in 1880 in Beaune. In the late 1960s, Robert Drouhin invested in the Chablis vineyard by acquiring around forty hectares, including Moulin de Vaudon, an 18th-century mill located at the heart of the appellation. Today, the fourth generation of the Drouhin family runs the estate, with Frédéric Drouhin as President, Véronique Drouhin in charge of winemaking, Philippe Drouhin overseeing the vines, and Laurent Drouhin responsible for sales and marketing. The estate stands out for its pioneering commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture, becoming the largest biodynamic estate in Chablis.

The vineyard

The Chablis Réserve de Vaudon comes from selected parcels located in the Vauvillien valley, between the Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. The vines grow on the famous Kimmeridgian soils, made up of limestone from the Upper Jurassic and containing millions of fossils of small oysters. These soils give the wine its distinctive minerality. The estate practices certified biodynamic viticulture, with yields deliberately limited to around 20% below the maximums permitted by the appellation in order to concentrate the expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was marked by particularly challenging weather conditions. A devastating frost episode in early April, following early budbreak in late March, destroyed a large portion of the primary buds. June and July were rainy, creating significant downy mildew pressure. Despite these challenges, September brought favorable conditions that allowed the grapes to ripen properly. The 2021 vintage produced wines in a classic style, characterized by lovely acidity, pronounced minerality, and a delicate aromatic expression.

Winemaking and aging

The Chablis Réserve de Vaudon 2021 is made using a minimalist approach designed to preserve the purity of the fruit and the expression of the terroir. Harvesting is carried out by hand with rigorous grape selection. Winemaking favors gentle techniques to maintain the freshness and aromatic finesse characteristic of the appellation.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay