Many of us wine drinkers have a soft spot for Chablis. Its with great reason too, given our climate and affi nity with seafood. A little over two months ago, we were thrilled when this wine hit our shores for the first time following a selective buying trip. Once again, it showcased its undisputed quality and notoriety in our tasting sessions. Established in 1850, this small family owned domain is the proven choice of so many when it comes to great Chablis. The estate comprises a mere 45 hectares of vines scattered throughout the region, grown on the famous Kimmeridgian limestone soils. Textbook in expression and style, super fi ne and elegant, this 2013 has perfectly poised, piercing acidity. This drives superb length of flavour on the featherweight light palate. Is there a better oyster wine?

From vineyards just outside Premier Cru village, this wine ticks both boxes for both floral and mineral. Delicious on its own, or with crustaceans and shellfish. Can also be cellared for a few years.

From one of the most respected families in the region, this wine offers an entry level insight to Chablis and its flavors.

Domaine Christian Moreau is a highly esteemed and historic name in the world of Chablis. The family has a long-standing history in the region, and the current generation, led by Christian Moreau and his son Fabien, continues to uphold the family's legacy. With their exceptional vineyard holdings, which include nearly 8 hectares of Grand Cru out of Chablis' total 92 hectares, this small yet remarkable estate has quickly established itself as one of the leading producers of Chablis, consistently crafting outstanding wines. While their holdings in Petit, village and 1er cru Chablis are relatively small, the true highlights lie in their range of Grand Cru vineyards. They possess a single holding of approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos, along with 41 hectares in Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, as well as smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots and Vaudesir. These exceptional vineyard sites, combined with old vines, meticulous winemaking and careful attention to every step of production, have resulted in wines that are widely regarded as some of the finest in Chablis. The estate's commitment to organic farming, certified since 2013, has further enhanced the expression of their vineyards. With investments in new tanks and other winemaking techniques, the results are evident in each vintage. The wines of Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are known for their precision, clear typicity and elegance. They have the ability to age gracefully while providing immense pleasure throughout their lives Fabien Moreau, who took over as winemaker in 2002, has already made a significant impact. With previous experience in New Zealand and a deep respect for terroir, Fabien is a visionary winemaker. The wines of Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are authentic, distinctive and of exceptional quality. The Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils Chablis 2022 is primarily aged in stainless steel, with 15% of the blend seeing barrel aging. The vines used for this wine are over 40 years old and are located in Les Pargues, situated between the Premier Cru sites of Montmains and Vosgros. This terroir has always been highly regarded and produces wines with extra depth and character. The blend also includes grapes from the village of Beru, known for its naturally reductive qualities, and a parcel from behind the hill of Grand Crus towards Fontenay. This combination brings complexity, generosity, coolness, minerality, reserve and finesse to the final blend. Certified organic and vegan-friendly, this Chablis offers flavors of white fruit with a pleasant minerality. It is a perfect choice for an aperitif or pairs well with oysters, shellfish or grilled fish.

Domaine Raveneau is undoubtedly one of the most renowned estates in the Chablis region. Since its inception in 1948, the estate has been producing limited quantities of wines from the top vineyards in the village. François Raveneau, the founder of the estate, was a master of his craft, and his distinctive style and unwavering commitment to quality helped build the estate's reputation. Today, his son Jean-Marie Raveneau and his brother Bernard Raveneau continue to carry on the legacy of their father. The estate's holdings include three Grand Cru vineyards Blanchot, Les Clos, and Valmur along with a selection of Premier Crus, including Montée de Tonnerre, Les Vaillons, Butteaux, Chapelot, Mont-Mains and Forêt. Jean-Marie oversees the vineyards while Bernard manages the cellar, and their children, Maxime and Isabelle, are set to continue this division of labour. With its exceptional vineyards and a team dedicated to producing the highest quality wines, Domaine Raveneau remains a benchmark for Chablis wines. For Domaine Raveneau, the key to producing exceptional wines lies in the meticulous care given to their vineyards. The Raveneaus take a traditional approach to winemaking, doing everything by hand and keeping yields very low. The vines are pruned using the double Guyot method, and the fruit is often de-leafed on the shade side before harvest. Once the grapes are harvested, they are immediately pressed and settled for half a day. The fermentation process is carried out using indigenous yeast in stainless steel vats. After the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are complete, the wines are racked off their lees and aged in used feuillettes, the traditional 132-liter barrels of Chablis, for 12-15 months. These barrels, which are seven to eight years old on average, gently open up the wine during the élevage without imparting new oak aromas or flavours. After the aging process, the wines are transferred back to stainless steel vats for 3-6 months before being bottled. The domaine often waits an additional 6 months after bottling before releasing the wines. Through this meticulous process, the Raveneau family produces wines that are a true reflection of the unique terroir of Chablis. Butteaux is a high-performing terroir and the southernmost of the three Premier Cru climats that make up the wider Chablis Montmains Premier Cru umbrella title. It has a steep slope and limestone-rich soils, producing powerful and steely Chardonnay-based wines with subtle characters of stone fruit and apple. Butteaux is regarded as the more structured and powerful wine, while Montmains is seen as the more mineral and Forêts is the complex intermediary. The southeast aspect of the slope is an important feature, giving a different expression of Chablis than the Grand Cru sites on the other side of the Serein river. Domaine Francois Raveneau Butteaux Premier Cru Chablis 2020 is a wine of exceptional quality, made from grapes grown on 1.50 hectares of 45-year-old vines. The terroir of Butteaux is unique and the old vines produce grapes of exceptional quality. The wine itself is a true reflection of the terroir, with a complex array of aromas and flavours. On the nose, Domaine Francois Raveneau Butteaux Premier Cru Chablis 2020 is fresh and lively, with notes of citrus, pear, and warm bread mingling with hints of iodine. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with layers of concentrated fruit and racy acids. The chalky grip adds a unique texture to the wine, making it a true delight to drink. Overall, the Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux is a wine of exceptional quality that showcases the unique terroir of Chablis. The 45-year-old vines add depth and complexity to the wine.