Jean Dauvissat : Chablis 1er cru "Vaillons" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" 2023 Jean Dauvissat

Tasting

Colour
The glass reveals a brilliant yellow-green hue, enhanced by delicate green highlights that reflect the wine's freshness.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with luscious notes of tropical fruit that gradually evolve toward citrus, lemon and white flower scents. Subtle vegetal touches reminiscent of asparagus or artichoke intertwine with marine nuances, true to the identity of its terroir.

Palate
The attack is crisp and sharp. The palate reveals remarkable power, carried by pronounced salinity and a minerality reminiscent of crushed rock. Full-bodied and generous, this wine offers a beautiful tension between fruit richness and freshness, extending into a long, complex finish.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with oysters, steamed seafood or pan-seared white fish. It also enhances smoked salmon, sushi, vegetable risotto, as well as regional specialities such as gougères or snails in parsley butter. As for cheese, it ideally accompanies aged goat cheeses or pressed-curd cheeses.

Service and storage

Approachable in its youth, this Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" 2023 reveals its full potential after a few years of cellaring. It can be enjoyed at its best from 2027 onwards and will continue to evolve favourably until at least 2033, developing subtle honeyed notes.

The subtle balance between fruity generosity and mineral tension in a great Chablis wine

The estate

Established in 1899 in the heart of Burgundy, the Dauvissat family has been growing vines for several generations. It was in the 1970s that Jean Dauvissat introduced estate bottling, marking a decisive turning point. Today, his son Sébastien Dauvissat heads the estate, carrying on an authentic family expertise. With a vineyard of nearly 10 hectares spread across some of the finest terroirs, the estate stands out for its commitment to preserving the pure expression of its soils through wines of great precision.

The vineyard

Located southwest of the Chablis appellation, the Vaillons climat benefits from excellent sun exposure. The vines, some of whose historic plots are over 65 years old, thrive on Kimmeridgian marl soils. This unique terroir, rich in clay, limestone and tiny oyster fossils, gives the grapes an exceptional mineral identity. The harvest is carried out mechanically to ensure a swift and optimal picking at full ripeness.

The vintage

The year 2023 was marked by particularly challenging weather conditions. After a mild winter and a wet April that favoured fungal pressure, summer turned out hot and dry. September's summer-like temperatures ultimately allowed the berries to reach optimal ripeness, with harvesting beginning around 10 September under mild weather.

Winemaking and aging

After rigorous sorting, the grapes are pressed and the juice is transferred by gravity to preserve all its freshness. Cold settling takes place in stainless steel tanks. For this Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" 2023, fermentation and aging take place partly in oak barrels, 25% of which are new. The wine then rests on the lees for 18 to 20 months before bottling.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay