Drouhin Vaudon : Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of Drouhin Vaudon's Chablis 1er Cru "Montmains" 2023

Tasting

Colour
This white wine from France displays a crystalline straw-yellow hue, illuminated by green highlights. Its brilliant clarity reveals pale golden nuances that evolve into a luminous yellow-green towards the edges of the glass.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet stands out for its complexity and minerality. It opens with citrus notes such as lemon, lime and grapefruit, accompanied by delicate scents of white flowers such as acacia. Vegetal touches of asparagus and artichoke then blend with subtle iodised, marine nuances.

Palate
The attack is direct and precise, carried by lovely vivacity. The mid-palate offers a texture that is both tender and fleshy, supported by a chalky, mineral framework reminiscent of gunflint. Citrus and stone fruit flavours intertwine with light notes of green apple and exotic fruit. The finish, long and precise, extends into a persistent minerality.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs ideally with raw oysters, scallops or poached fish. It also goes wonderfully with white meats in cream sauce, fresh goat's cheeses, as well as vegetable-based dishes such as asparagus or mushrooms.

Service and storage

The Chablis 1er Cru "Montmains" 2023 can be enjoyed now, but it will continue to evolve favourably and can be enjoyed until around 2033. For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 13°C.

The authentic expression of a Chablis terroir by a pioneering estate in biodynamics

The estate

The Drouhin Vaudon estate is the Chablis extension of Maison Joseph Drouhin, founded in 1880. Created in the 1960s at the initiative of Robert Drouhin, the estate now spans 38 hectares within a broader 100-hectare holding across Burgundy. Currently led by Frédéric Drouhin, alongside his siblings Véronique, Philippe and Laurent, the estate stands out for its pioneering commitment. It is indeed the largest estate in its appellation to be entirely converted to biodynamic viticulture, favouring limited yields to reveal the authenticity of its terroirs.

The vineyard

Located to the north of the House's holdings in Chablis, the Montmains plot benefits from south and south-east exposure on the left bank of the Serein. This low-altitude terroir rests on Kimmeridgian limestone soils, rich in marine fossils, interspersed with layers of clay and marl. The vineyard is farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, with a strict commitment to maintaining yields 20% below the authorised limits in order to ensure berry concentration.

The vintage

2023 was characterised by a particularly warm growing season. After a mild spring that favoured optimal flowering, summer was marked by high temperatures, punctuated by a few rainy spells. The month of August, warm, dry and sunny, allowed the berries to reach perfect ripeness. Harvest began on 14 September, yielding grapes with ideal balance.

Winemaking and aging

For the Chablis 1er Cru "Montmains" 2023, the grapes are hand-harvested into perforated crates. Whole-bunch pressing is carried out slowly using a pneumatic press to preserve the purity of the juices, which are then separated. After a brief cold settling period, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. Aging continues in these same tanks on fine lees for eight to ten months, without the use of oak barrels or systematic malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve all the freshness and mineral identity of the wine.