2020 Chablis, Vaillons, 1er Cru, Domaine Besson, Burgundy

2020 Chablis, Vaillons, 1er Cru, Domaine Besson, Burgundy

Product: 20208156604
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2020 Chablis, Vaillons, 1er Cru, Domaine Besson, Burgundy

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Description

Most of the Besson family’s holdings in Vaillons are within Les Beugnons, with a few vines in Mélinots and Chatains further down. Camille Besson describes this as their least mineral Premier Cru, and the 2020 offers a floral, lemon-fruited expression of Chablis. The sunny vintage makes itself known in the ripeness of the lemons and the mid-palate weight, though the finish is clean, crisp and saline. Made mostly in tank with 8% oak.

Drink now - 2028

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (June 2022)

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Critics reviews

Wine Spectator90/100

A ripe style, evoking cantaloupe, herb and stone flavors. There's good intensity on the light-bodied frame and the finish persists with fruit and mineral.

Drink now through 2025

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (April 2022)

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About this WINE

Domaine Besson

Domaine Besson

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Chablis Premier Cru

Chablis Premier Cru

Chablis Premiers Crus are stylish, minerally wines which, typically, are less intense than the Grand Crus but finer and longer-lasting than basic Chablis. They are highly underrated with the better examples outclassing many a good village white Burgundy.

The vineyards cover 750 hectares, scattered across 15 communes on isolated slopes with good exposure. There are 17 principal Premiers Crus but in total 79 vineyards are eligible, with most of the lesser-known ones using a more familiar umbrella name on their label. The best flank the Grands Crus on the north bank of the River Serein, like Montée de Tonnerre (probably the best of all), Fourchaume and Mont de Milieu.

Those just south of Chablis, like Vaillons, Montmains (especially Les Forêts) and Côte de Léchet are also good. With the vineyard area having doubled since the 1970s, quality varies enormously so, as ever, the producer is key.

Styles also vary, with some maturing and fermenting in stainless steel for a purer, more minerally style, while others age and sometimes even ferment their wines in oak for extra complexity.  The best examples reach their apogee at eight to 10 years, but are normally enjoyed long before then.

Recommended producers: Jean-Claude BessinBillaud-SimonSéguinot-BordetJ.-P. & Benoit DroinDuplessisDefaix

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Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the "Big Daddy" of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world. It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.

Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.

It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.

Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.

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