Assorted Northern Burgudy Chablis Tasting Lot

“Lemon and pineapple fruit aromas are complicated by a yeasty baked-bread quality and a hint of reduction. Sweeter and more pliant than the foregoing premier crus, offering a captivating combination of citrus zest, leesy complexity and salty minerality. This very rich, dense Chablis shows noteworthy finesse and finishes with a subtle balsamic quality. (ST)” (07/2016)

“A restrained if elegant nose is composed by dried orchard fruit, iodine, quinine and lemongrass suffused aromas. There is outstanding concentration and punch to the powerful and palate coating middle weight flavors that deliver excellent length on the balanced if bone dry finish that is shaped by a firm acid spine. While this could certainly be approached now with pleasure I would be inclined to allow it at least another 5 years of cellaring as it has the stuffing to age well over the long-term.” (10/2019)

“Due to be bottled after the 2016 harvest, the 2014 Chablis 1Er Cru Vaillons Veilles Vignes has a very precise bouquet with scents of gypsum, orange blossom and chalk surging from the nose. I like the mineral core here. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, hints of marmalade and orange peel; there is great tension here and it is blessed with a persistent mineral-drenched finish. Just like last year when I tasted this from barrel, this is a very fine Vaillons in the making. (NM)” (08/2016)

“A lightly exotic nose of pure white orchard fruit and muscat nuances displays background hints of mineral reduction and seaweed, both of which are picked up by the rich, round, powerful and concentrated flavors that possess an opulent but balanced finish that exhibits slightly better depth and length. Worth a look.” (10/2016)

“A slightly riper nose reflects slightly phenolic nuanced aromas of olive oil, mineral reduction, citrus and plenty of classic Chablis character. There is fine richness to the round, rich and generously proportioned medium weight flavors that possess good dry extract before concluding in a sappy, bitter lemon and slightly rustic finish. This is firm enough to reward 5-ish years of cellaring.” (10/2020)

“The 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Les Forêts offers up aromas of almond paste, lemon and dried white flowers, followed by a medium-bodied, bright and lively palate that's fine-boned and charming. It's also showing well. (WK)” (08/2019)

“Old vines grown on a warm, exposed slope (important in Chablis) give this wine its richness and textured concentration. Ripe apple and tangy lime flavors complement a tight edge that will soften as the wine matures. Drink from 2023. (RV)” (10/2021)

“Domaine Laroche traces its beginnings back to AD867. This high-quality example of Premier Cru Chablis Vieilles Vignes shows purity of fruit, density of flavour and some subtle, judicious, oak maturation adding some extra layers of complexity. With a mineral aftertaste, this also has intriguing hints of honey and lemon curd on the nose and palate. Drinking Window 2022 - 2028. (AH)” (10/2020)

“The 2019 Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes unwinds in the glass with aromas of green orchard fruit, pastry cream, fresh bread and light reduction. Medium to full-bodied, ample and saline, it's bright and chiseled, with a classically Chablisien tang. The dynamic Grégory Viennois, who presides over Laroche's fully 90 hectares as technical director, continues to take this large house onwards and upwards; and with every vintage, the wines seem to take on more depth and dimension. As I wrote last year, Viennois is a Chapoutier and Derenoncourt alumnus, and he is working toward more sustainable farming and moderated yields in the vineyards, eliminating the use of pesticides, herbicides and anti-botrytis treatments, as well as pressing the grapes long and hard in the winery in pursuit of structuring dry extract. Recently used oak is more subtly employed, and Laroche's early-2000s transition to screw-cap closures has been abandoned. Several cuvées now see a longer élevage, and a couple of new small bottlings from within Laroche's large holdings have joined the range. 2018, revisited here in bottle, has turned out well, constituting a fine success in this abundant vintage, and 2019 is more promising still. (WK)” (08/2021)

“The 2019 Chablis Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru has a crisp nose of Granny Smith apples, freshly sliced Nashi pear, wild fennel, green olives and touches of crushed limestone. The palate is fresh and crisp on the entry, demonstrating admirable weight. A little viscosity toward the finish betrays the warmth of the summer, yet the acidity keeps it fresh and tensile. Delicious. (NM)” (10/2021)

“Intense yet undeveloped, this wine has the peppery buzz of fresh-pressed olive oil. The fruit of 60-year-old vines on a southeast-facing slope, this ripened to peach and roasted-lemon flavors in 2019. Oak aging (in foudres and barrels) drives the spice in a powerful Chablis that needs cellar time to mellow.” (10/2021)

“An inflection of green herbs and green fruit marks this round, lively white, with apple, yellow plum and earth notes completing the profile. Excellent length. Drink now through 2025.” (09/2021)

“A riper but slightly cooler and admirably pure nose features notes of white pepper, high-toned apple, pear and a variety of classic Chablis elements. The sleek, intense and beautifully detailed middle weight flavors possess a lovely texture before concluding in an acceptably complex but solidly persistent finale.” (11/2020)

“The 2019 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru has an attractive nose of citrus peel, black currant leaf and touches of chamomile, all showing good energy and focus. The palate is clean, fresh and saline in the mouth, delivering good concentration and a slightly nutty, fumé finish that lingers. This has plenty of personality and should age well in bottle. (NM)” (10/2021)

“Crisp notes of green apple and greengage plum abound in this fresh, brightly balanced Chardonnay. Moderately full bodied but brisk in concentration, it's a refreshing, immediately approachable expression of Vaillons, with a delicate hazelnut finish. (AI)” (12/2021)