Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin : Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Chablis 1er Cru "Montmains" 2022 by Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin

Tasting

Colour
Brilliant and clear, it reveals a pale gold hue enhanced by delicate green highlights, testifying to its youth.

Nose
Initially reserved, the bouquet opens up with aeration to reveal aromas of yellow fruits such as apricot and white peach, underscored by hints of citrus. It then evolves towards gourmet notes of hazelnut, almond and brioche, all wrapped in a pronounced minerality reminiscent of gunflint, oyster shell and sea spray.

Palate
The attack is lively, with great mineral freshness. The mid-palate offers a generous, round and full-bodied texture, carried by the fruity flavours perceived on the nose. The whole wine shines with remarkable tension, combining power and restraint, stretching out towards a long finish of infinite elegance.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with a seafood platter, oysters or langoustines. It also enhances grilled or sauced fish, a seafood terrine, as well as delicate white meats such as veal blanquette. After a few years of ageing, it will divinely accompany a pan-seared foie gras or dishes with woodland notes featuring mushrooms.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the complexity of this Chablis 1er Cru "Montmains" 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of around 11°C. Approachable in its youth, this great wine has a structure that will allow it to evolve favourably in the cellar until around 2040.

The elegance and mineral richness of a great white Burgundy

The estate

Officially founded in 1620, the Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin estate is among the oldest names in winemaking in Burgundy. Located at the heart of the Chablis appellation, this family-run estate has endured through the centuries while preserving invaluable expertise. Today, Benoît Droin represents the thirteenth generation at the helm of the estate. With a vineyard spanning twenty-six hectares, he continues the family legacy with a philosophy focused on the authentic and precise expression of each terroir. The estate's wines stand out for their subtle balance between power and finesse, achieved without technical artifice.

The vineyard

The Montmains climat stretches along the left bank of the Serein, within the Chablis appellation. The estate's plot, covering just over two hectares, benefits from a south-east to north-east exposure on a gentle slope. The vines, with an average age of forty-five years, thrive on Kimmeridgian soils particularly rich in clay and limestone. The vineyard is managed using sustainable practices, with regular ploughing of the soil to encourage microbial life and preserve the natural balance of the environment.

The vintage

The year 2022 offered ideal climatic conditions, marking a return to generous yields after the frost episodes of the previous year. A particularly warm spring encouraged rapid vine development. The harvest, carried out in September, allowed for the picking of grapes in perfect health, offering a remarkable balance between ripeness and freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The creation of this Chablis 1er Cru "Montmains" 2022 begins with gentle pneumatic pressing, followed by cold settling. Alcoholic fermentation begins naturally thanks to indigenous yeasts, spanning around two months at controlled temperature. Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. The wine then benefits from ageing on fine lees for eight to ten months, divided between stainless steel tanks and used French oak barrels, in order to preserve the brightness of the fruit and the identity of the terroir.

Grape variety

This wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay (100%).