Chablis

The 2016 vintage is the archetype of “small but perfectly formed”. In spite of the vintage’s challenges (a catastrophic spring frost signifi¬cantly reduced the size of the harvest), the wines are excellent. Blended from three different vineyard sites in the villages of Chichée and Fontenay, this wine has the perfect balance of bright fruit and sizzling mineral precision. Unadulterated by oak, it lends itself to a wide variety of food pairings, including (of course) shell¬fish and seafood dishes.
Adam Bruntlett, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

The sort of wine that there should always be a bottle of on-hand in the fridge. Ideal for a mid-week supper or for filling the interminable void while preparing the Sunday lunch. Predominantly from a parcel of 45-year-old vines, the quality of the fruit is amplified by very little intervention in the winery, raising this above the majority of Village level Chablis. This isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel – crisp green apple, lemon wax and honeysuckle florals deliver the freshness expected with 8-10 months in tank producing a lovely texture on the palate. Lean, linear, steely acidity is marked but not aggressive and you’re simply left with the most agreeable impression.
Jared Ehret, Private Account Manager

This comes from three plots, Bas de Chapelots, Pargues and Cartes. Samuel picked the hailed parts on 3^rd September, then the rest a few days later. There is a little touch of youthful bitterness which gives way to a fine-boned, well-constructed Chablis, with plenty of energy. Drink 2018-2021.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Samuel has not only been able to take back his share of the family vineyards but he has also moved into some excellent premises which he has been refurbishing, in the heart of Chablis. It was good to find him in such a cheerful frame of mind. The long, slow vinification of his 2015s has done the wines a lot of good. We found a concentration of minerality and characteristic saline finishes.

Raised 100% in stainless steel, the aromas show some of the exotic fruit of the vintage with white peach notes, but there is the unmistakable marine quality of true Chablis on Kimmeridgian soil underneath, along with the zesty lemon edge. Approachable now and will be enjoyable over the next few years. 
Adam Bruntlett, Wine Buyer

Based in La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, north of Chablis town, Jean-Claude's first vintage was the 1992. Though trained as an architect Jean-Claude Bessin preferred to take over the vineyards of his father-in-law. From vines planted in the 1950s and 1970s, this wine is always one which punches well above the weight of its humble “village” classification. Indeed, the old vines with their deep root systems were of particular benefit in the warm, dry 2015 vintage, allowing the vine to tap into water reserves deep in the subsoil and avoid the dangers of water stress.

As a result this wine displays a pleasing restraint in the form of the classic iodine and oyster shell character one associates with Chablis, accompanied by the riper white peach and honeysuckle flavours of the warm vintage.

Restrained, classic dusty/citrus aroma of Chablis with that aroma reflected in attractive chalky texture. Moderate intensity, fine balance and good length. Good intensity for a Chablis, albeit from a named site, and excellent length. Has both purity and finesse. 
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com. 18th Feburary 2017.

Typically a rich, round cuvée owing to Vaillons’ south-easterly aspect, this is exceptionally so in 2015. Nonetheless, white rather than yellow fruit dominates the nose, while the fresh, saline finish that suggests a bright future.
Will Heslop, Wine Buyer

Laurent Pinson explains La Fôret, historically very linear, has taken on a little more weight in recent vintages. Nonetheless, it remains deliciously fresh and mineral, with just the slightest buttery character from eight months in used oak. Drink 2018 to 2023.
Will Heslop - Wine Buyer

From vines planted in 1956, this is a beautiful Chablis offering a pure, clear and classic bouquet which is both chiselled and mineral. There is good concentration on the palate, with a lovely mix of floral and fresh fruit notes. Drink 2018-2024.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Volumes for 2015 are down after the pre-harvest hail but the quality here is exemplary. The father and daughter team of Laurent and Charlène Pinson, aided by other members of the family, continue to make excellent and very fairly priced wines from a range of vineyards. Part of our selection is shown below. The wines are mostly vinified in stainless steel then given a proportion of barrel ageing. 

This is the flagship among the Premiers Crus. It shows a fine pure bright colour, with maybe a touch of oak alongside the fruit on the nose. Offering a very full, generous yet balanced mouthful of lemon curd fruit, this is a superb expression of the more generous side of Chablis. It finishes with a lovely salinity from the Kimmeridgian soil. Drink 2018-2024.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Volumes for 2015 are down after the pre-harvest hail but the quality here is exemplary. The father and daughter team of Laurent and Charlène Pinson, aided by other members of the family, continue to make excellent and very fairly priced wines from a range of vineyards. Part of our selection is shown below. The wines are mostly vinified in stainless steel then given a proportion of barrel ageing. 

Sébastien feels that the Côte de Léchet is the most serious of all his wines, and the one with the most ageing potential, and it is hard to disagree. There is a lovely marine quality to the nose, tangy and saline. On the front of the palate, there is a surprising weight of fruit before everything tightens up and the limestone character kicks in. Concentrated and pure, this crackles with energy. Drink 2020-2025.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

The Dampt family has been making wine for more than 150 years in Chablis. Having studied viticulture in Beaune, young Sébastien worked in Sancerre, Nuits-St Georges and Australia to broaden his experience before returning to the family domaine, Daniel Dampt, in 2005 to work alongside his father and brother. In 2007, he took back seven hectares under his own name. The domaine is situated in Milly, to the west of Chablis, and 50 percent of the holdings are Premier Cru. The wines are largely vinified and raised in stainless steel and concrete, the aim being to produce a linear and classic interpretation of Chablis. Sébastien explained that 2016 has a certain richness from the low yields, thanks to frost, hail and subsequent mildew. Thankfully the perfect summer and ripening season meant that quality is exceptional, with wonderful balance and classically pure Chablis characteristics. While Sébastien makes a range of Premiers Crus, we have chosen to focus our offer on his excellent Côte de Léchet; an historic family parcel located just a stone’s throw from the cellars.

The 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Vosgros was bottled in May 2017, extending its usual maturation period by four months. It has a complex bouquet with flecks of almond and white chocolate complementing the mineral scents. The palate is tight at the beginning, delivering a very controlled line of acidity. The body builds towards the finish, which offers a spicy undertow and plenty of salinity. I envisage this Chablis developing with style and panache, certainly touching grand cru quality.
Drink 2019-2030. 92/100.
Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate