2022 Chablis, Mont de Milieu, 1er Cru, Famille Grossot, Burgundy
Critics reviews
Vinified 100% in wood and then partially raised in it as well.
Firm reduction completely dominates the nose. Otherwise, there is both excellent volume and punch to the succulent yet impressively powerful larger-scaled flavours that exude an almost palpable minerality on the lingering finish that already offers the best complexity in the range. This is consistently Grossot's best wine and it appears to be so again in 2022.
Drink from 2029 onward
Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (August 2023)
About this WINE
Famille Grossot
Located in the heart of the Chablis region, Burgundy, France, Famille Grossot is a renowned winemaking family with a rich history spanning generations. Led by Jean-Pierre and Corinne Grossot, alongside their daughter Eve, the domaine is deeply rooted in the local terroir. Their vineyards, predominantly planted with Chardonnay, thrive on the iconic Kimmeridgian limestone soils, imparting their wines with a signature mineral character and exquisite finesse.
Committed to sustainable practices, the Grossot family nurtures their vines with care, allowing the unique expression of the Chablis terroir to shine through. Combining traditional winemaking techniques with modern expertise, they craft Chablis wines celebrated for their vibrant acidity, crisp minerality, and exceptional ageing potential. From the classic Chablis to the complex and structured Premier Crus, Famille Grossot consistently produces wines of remarkable quality and character.
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 Bessin, Billaud-Simon, Séguinot-Bordet, J.-P. & Benoit Droin, Duplessis, Defaix
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is often seen as the king 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.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
The Grossots don’t have any Grand Cru vineyards, but this wine comes very close to that level. Around half of it is made in oak, with the rest in tank. A dense, powerful and concentrated wine with lots of layers of acidity, fruit and chalky minerals. There is so much going on here, in a wine which will be at its best after at least five years in bottle.
Drink 2026 - 2035
Berry Bros. & Rudd
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee