Eye-opening vitality, floral emphasis, crushed stone intensity and crisp orchard fruits make this a welcomed wake-up call. A real dynamo already, the pinpoint balance and notable underlying concentration will give this plenty of longevity. An outstanding Blanchot in this tricky vintage.

From some 35-year-old vines situated mid-slope on white clay soils and matured for a year in 500-liter barrels (from Tonnellerie D), followed by six months in tank, the 2024 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot opens in the glass with aromas of gooseberry, white flowers, lemon oil and lychee, mingling with hints of vanilla pod. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, racy and precise, built around bright acidity and concluding with a long, penetrating finish. This year, Blanchot and Les Preuses are more alike than not. Samuel Billaud established his own state-of-the-art winery in the center of Chablis in 2009, and he has since emerged as one of the village’s leading producers, crafting wines that unite texture and precision. Working with four hectares of organically farmed estate vineyards, supplemented by purchased grapes—for which Billaud determines the harvest date, and his team usually picks the fruit—harvesting of ripe yet vibrant grapes is the rule here.(KK)

The notes of nectarine and grapefruit with a mineral edge and a bit of smoky reduction make this stylish wine particularly successful in 2024. The texture is elegant and fine, with the perfect amount of ripeness to balance the year's edgy acidity. This will eventually see 24 months of ageing: 18 months in Chassin barrels, plus six more in tank. It will show best in five years and should drink for at least another 20 after that.(CC)