Joseph Drouhin : Chablis 1er cru "Vaillons" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" 2023 by Joseph Drouhin

Tasting

Colour
This white wine displays a brilliant yellow-green hue, adorned with green highlights characteristic of its youth.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals itself as complex and mineral. It unveils scents of lemon and white flowers, subtly complemented by vegetal nuances reminiscent of asparagus and artichoke, along with hints of the sea.

Palate
The attack is crisp and lively, carried by lovely acidity. With a medium-bodied structure, this wine offers a lingering finish where fruity flavours intertwine with saline, iodine-tinged notes. Over time, subtly honeyed aromas may develop.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with seafood, such as fresh oysters, or delicate fish like salmon and halibut. It also pairs wonderfully with a green vegetable risotto, poultry marinated in candied lemon or served with a cream and mustard sauce, as well as fresh regional cheeses.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" 2023, it is recommended to serve it chilled, at a temperature between 12 and 13°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve favourably until around 2031.

The elegance and minerality of a Chablis Premier Cru by Joseph Drouhin

The estate

Founded in 1880 by Joseph Drouhin, the Joseph Drouhin house is a historic figure of Burgundy. Initially a negociant house, it now owns a vast vineyard of approximately 100 hectares spread across sixty appellations. A pioneer in environmental stewardship, the estate is entirely cultivated according to the principles of organic and biodynamic farming. Today, the fourth generation, represented by Philippe, Véronique, Laurent, and Frédéric Drouhin, leads the estate, carrying on a family expertise centred on elegance and the authentic expression of terroir.

The vineyard

The "Vaillons" climat is one of the emblematic terroirs of the Chablis Premier Cru appellation. The vines benefit from a moderate slope and excellent south and east exposure, offering them ideal morning sunlight. The shallow soil rests on a Kimmeridgian limestone subsoil, rich in marine fossils, which gives the grapes their distinctive mineral identity.

The vintage

The year 2023 stood out for its particularly warm temperatures. After a mild winter, spring brought unpredictable humidity, followed by a long period of summer drought. Fortunately, conditions in September allowed the berries to reach optimal ripeness. The harvest, which began around September 10th under favourable weather, yielded a satisfying volume while preserving the berries' characteristic freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for this Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" 2023 are hand-harvested in perforated crates and rigorously sorted. Slow whole-bunch pressing is carried out using a pneumatic press, with careful separation of the juices. After settling, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in these same tanks for eight to ten months, with no oak contact whatsoever, in order to preserve the full purity and mineral freshness of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay