Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2022

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service.

Located in Chablis, Domaine Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin has a 14th generation and nearly 400 years of family winemaking tradition. Today, the estate, which extends over approximately 13 hectares of vineyards, is managed by Benoit, who produces 14 different wines (Petit Chablis, Chablis, 7 Premiers Crus, and 5 Grands Crus) choosing to favor low yields and abandon new oak.

The Chardonnay grapes for the Chablis 1er cru Les Vaillons are selected and hand-picked from different climats (Séchets, Epinottes, Beugnons, and Châtains) with clayey-limestone Kimmeridgian soils. The vinification takes place in oak barrels for 25% and the finished wine rests for 10 months in oak barrels (25%) and wooden vats (75%).

The wine reveals a bright color with lemon-yellow tones and a broad and complex aromatic profile with fruity and floral notes, mineral hints, and some woody nuances. On the palate, it is fleshy and consistent, fruity and elegant with a well-balanced acidity and a long, citrusy, and bold finish. For a young Chablis, it’s pretty approachable but still shows excellent aging potential. Try it with scallops and all seafood or with fresh cheese.