Vinous (91)

The 2019 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru has a less flamboyant bouquet than its peers. This feels more reserved and flinty, though very nicely defined and focused. The palate is well balanced, with the weight and density I look for in a Vaillon, and a little spicier than the Vosgros. A touch of lemongrass and a hint of green olive appear toward the finish. Fine.

Burghound (89)

(from 5 different lieux-dits that saw 15% of new and one-year old wood). A slightly cooler if still ripe nose reflects notes of white pepper, plenty of citrus influence and discreet shellfish nuances. Here too the palate impression of the middleweight flavors is one of richness and generosity yet the supporting acidity is both a little firmer and a bit brighter as well. This delicious effort could use better depth but more should reasonably develop with a few years of aging.

Burghound (89)

(from 5 different lieux-dits that saw 15% of new and one-year old wood). A slightly cooler if still ripe nose reflects notes of white pepper, plenty of citrus influence and discreet shellfish nuances. Here too the palate impression of the middleweight flavors is one of richness and generosity yet the supporting acidity is both a little firmer and a bit brighter as well. This delicious effort could use better depth but more should reasonably develop with a few years of aging.

Burghound (89-91)

(from 5 different lieux-dits that saw 15% of new and one-year old wood). A discreet application of wood sets off notes of white pepper, acacia blossom, spice and just enough Chablis typicity to be interesting. On the palate there is both good volume and refinement to the generously proportioned middle weight flavors that possess a sappy texture while displaying solid length on the youthfully austere finale that displays acceptable vibrancy.

Renowned for its excellence, the Jean-Paul Droin Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots 2018 is an exquisite embodiment of the Chablis terroir. The venerated Droin family, with 400 years of winemaking pedigree, ensure precision and clarity in this outstanding cuvée. Cultivated on the sun-kissed, southeastern-facing slopes of 'Blanchots', this mineral-rich Chardonnay showcases Droin's utmost respect for tradition and territory.

Harvested from vines averaging 45 years, the hand-picked grapes experience gentle pressing before fermenting in both oak barrels and stainless steel vats. This delicate balance confers a distinctive minerality edge to the luscious fruit notes, mirroring the unique Kimmeridgian soils of its birthplace. Radiating a remarkable freshness enriched with nuances of almond and citrus, the Jean-Paul Droin Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots 2018 provides an elegant and enduring finish that complements a connoisseur's cellar. It's not simply a wine; it's a testament to the Droin family heritage and the lovingly nurtured terroir of Chablis.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92+)

The 2021 Chablis Les Grenouilles Grand Cru has a well-defined bouquet that feels a bit generic due to the dominance of the wood at the moment. Yes, there is sufficient fruit (just) to soak that up, but I would have dialled it down a notch. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. It is less oaky towards the finish with hints of mint and juniper on the aftertaste. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Wine Advocate (93)

Tasted blind at the annual “Burgfest” tasting in Brouilland. The 2013 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos appears to have really upped the ante in the last few months. There are more tropical tones on the nose compared to other Chablis les Clos, exotic at first, but it calms down with time in the glass and bestows lovely apricot blossom and quince aromas. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry. Well balanced with a keen thread of acidity, I appreciate the tension and energy here and the salinity that comes through on the aftertaste. This should give 10-15 years of pleasure. Tasted May 2016.

Vinous (93-95)

Pale yellow-green. Urgent aromas of white peach, soft citrus fruits and iodine. Silky on entry, then less fat in the middle than the Grenouille, communicating a wonderfully fine-grained texture without any impression of weight. This wine leads with its intense fruit right now but it's extremely young. The slowly mounting, detailed finish and impression of calcaire energy suggest that it will display more minerality with time in the cellar.

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2021 Chablis Les Clos Hommage à Louis Grand Cru has a wonderful bouquet that truly expresses the nobility of Les Clos. It is quite complex with fine mineralité under the veneer of oak that will be subsumed with time. The palate is fresh on entry, taut and fresh, quite sapid with a bright and very persistent finish. Excellent, but give it another 12 to 18 months. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2021 Chablis Les Clos Hommage à Louis Grand Cru has a wonderful bouquet that truly expresses the nobility of Les Clos. It is quite complex with fine mineralité under the veneer of oak that will be subsumed with time. The palate is fresh on entry, taut and fresh, quite sapid with a bright and very persistent finish. Excellent, but give it another 12 to 18 months. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Vinous (92)

Very closed nose hints at citrus peel, stone fruits and minerals. In a more corpulent style than the Vaudésir but youthfully brooding, with its peach and yeasty flavors conveying an impression of power. This wine was made from young vines (14 and 7 years old) planted at a dense meter-by- meter spacing. Seriously rich but still a baby, finishing with serious slow-mounting length. Very impressive for young vines.

Vinous (93)

The 2015 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru comes across a little oaky on the nose, but the fruit handles it well. The bouquet is detailed and focused, with hints of dried honey and nutmeg developing in the glass. The palate displays good balance, a fine line of acidity and a smooth, almost creamy texture; hints of almond and white chocolate emerge toward the finish. This feels a little obvious in terms of winemaking at the moment, but I suspect it will evolve into a delicious Valmur. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

Vinous (91-93)

Slightly hazy yellow-green. Tangy nose suggests green tropical fruits. Fat, sweet and rich; a step up in volume from the Vaudésir and Blanchots. Expressive in the middle by virtue of its flesh and weight but then a bit tart-edged on the finish. This dense, spicy wine initially seemed more accessible than the Vaudésir but I would not be surprised if its shuts down after the bottling. These vines average just 15 years of age.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2018 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru is another stunning wine in this range that captures the essence of the vintage beautifully. A wine of breadth, richness and volume, the 2018 is flat-out stunning. Apricot, dried flowers, savory herbs and light tropical overtones build as the Valmur blossoms in the glass. Silky contours and veins of supporting minerality frame the long, persistent finish. One of thee highlights in this range, the 2018 Valmur is simply captivating.

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2021 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru feels a bit reduced on the nose and I would have liked more energy and delineation. The palate is well balanced with just the right amount of bitterness on the entry to lend tension. Cohesive, judiciously spiced and quite linear as it segues towards the finish, this should repay maturation in bottle. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2023 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is lovely, unfurling in the glass with notes of green orchard fruit, citrus zest, wet stones and oyster shell. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and racy, it's deep and saline, with as usual a quintessentially Chablisien profile.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2010 Chablis Vaudésir starts off rather cool and inward before it positively explodes on the mid-palate and finish. It is a beautiful, fleshy Chablis that impresses for its expansive volume and sheer pedigree.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)

Fullish pale yellow. Powerful but discreet, not too sunny. There is a touch of coconut from the wood, definitely some yellow fruit, with a slightly smoky finish, very typical and quite lovely. Drink from 2025-2031. Tasted: June 2022

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)

Fullish pale yellow. Powerful but discreet, not too sunny. There is a touch of coconut from the wood, definitely some yellow fruit, with a slightly smoky finish, very typical and quite lovely. Drink from 2025-2031. Tasted: June 2022

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2022 Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir is lovely, bursting with aromas of vine blossom, peach and pear. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, it's suave and seamless, with a pretty, expressive profile that makes it one of the most charming wines in the range.

Burghound (88-91)

This is aromatically similar to the Petit Chablis though with more citrus elements in evidence. There is again good richness to the succulent and rounded medium-weight flavors that also exude a refreshing salinity on the clean, moderately dry and sneaky long finish that is slightly firmer. (88-91)/2026+

Vinous (89-91)

The 2022 Chablis Village has a crisp, focused bouquet with hints of pressed white flowers and wet stone. The elegant palate has flecks of white peach and apricot, balanced and lovely with a charming, precise finish. This is very capable and should age well in bottle.

Burghound (87-89)

Firm, and pungent, smoky reduction dominates the nose at present though there is good freshness and energy to the delicious, rich and sappy medium weight flavors that possess better backend balance. This should drink well young and with 2 to 4 years of keeping.