Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin : Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" 2023 Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin

Tasting

Colour
White in colour, this wine reveals a pale gold hue adorned with delicate green highlights.

Nose
The nose opens with aromas of yellow fruits such as apricot, mingled with notes of hazelnut and toasted almond. Touches of green apple, mint and white flowers then emerge, underpinned by a fine mineral backbone.

Palate
Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate offers generous fruit and a satiny texture. Balance is provided by an underlying acidity and mineral structure that carry the wine towards a long finish.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with white meats in sauce, fine fish or seafood dishes such as warm oysters. It also goes very well with a green vegetable risotto or aged regional cheeses, particularly goat cheese. After a few years of aging, it will beautifully complement a pan-seared foie gras.

Service and storage

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve this Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" 2023 at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. It can be enjoyed in its youth but also has the aging potential to evolve until around 2033.

The richness and minerality of a Chablis Premier Cru

The estate

The history of Domaine Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin began in 1620, making it one of the oldest winegrowing families in the region. Over the centuries, the estate has built up a vineyard of approximately 26 hectares spread across the four appellations of Chablis, in Burgundy. Today, Benoît Droin represents the fourteenth generation and heads the estate. Under his leadership, the domaine has modernized its infrastructure while adopting sustainable winegrowing practices, favoring soil husbandry to faithfully express each terroir.

The vineyard

This wine comes from a 2.15-hectare plot located within the Montmains climat in Chablis. Facing southeast, the vines, averaging 45 years old, thrive on deep Kimmeridgian marl soils particularly rich in clay. The vineyard is managed using sustainable methods, including regular plowing to stimulate microbial life and hand-harvesting to preserve the quality of the grapes.

The vintage

The year 2023 benefited from very favorable weather conditions. A mild spring preceded a warm summer, conducive to sugar accumulation, while cool nights helped preserve the grapes' natural acidity. Moderate rainfall ensured balanced vegetative growth right up to the early autumn harvest.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking process for this Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" 2023 begins with gentle pneumatic pressing followed by natural settling. Fermentation takes place 60% in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and 40% in French oak barrels. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 8 to 10 months before final blending, light filtration and bottling.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay