Domaine des Hâtes Pierrick Laroche Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux
Product Information: Butteaux is one of the ‘climats’ of Premier cru Montmains which is regarded as one of the top Premier cru vineyard sites in Chablis lying beside or below Vaillons. Being one of the most southern locations for 1er cru in Chablis it is regarded as a cooler site with slightly later harvest. Here there is a very thin layer of clay which overlays the Kimmeridgian marls. Maker: Pierrick Laroche, the proud owner of Domaine des Hâtes, continues the legacy of his family's estate located in the picturesque village of Maligny, in the north-west sector of Chablis. The name of Pierrick's Domaine, "hâtes" refers to an old agricultural unit of measure, similar to the English rod. It evokes the long and slender fields used for sowing, where the longer rows made plowing easier with fewer turns. The term "hâtes" was often used to describe such fields. Established by his father in the 1970s, Pierrick's family vineyard holdings have gradually expanded over time, resulting in the current size of around 33 hectares. After obtaining a degree in oenology from Beaune, Pierrick embarked on a journey to gain valuable experience by traveling the world and undertaking various internships. Armed with knowledge and a deep passion for winemaking, he returned home to take over the family vineyards and start producing his own wines. Philosophy: Pierrick's cellars, ingeniously built into the side of a hill in the village, allow for much of the winemaking process to be conducted by gravity ensuring gentle handling of the grapes. The vinification takes place traditionally in stainless steel tanks, while some of the Premier and Grand Cru wines undergo a small portion of aging in used barrels, allowing for a full malolactic fermentation. One of his oldest vineyard plots, Les Châtillons, planted in the early 1970s, sits just behind the hill of the Grand Crus and showcases the meticulous use of barrel aging, which adds complexity and depth to the cuvée. In 2016, Pierrick expanded his range by starting a small négoce operation, sourcing must from friends who predominantly farm on the left side of the river. This addition includes premier crus such as Beauroy, Beauregard and Vau de Vey, as well as the grand cru of Bougros. In 2019, Pierrick inherited 8 acres of vines from his father-in-law in the southern sector of Chablis, around the village of Courgis. This inheritance includes Petit Chablis, 5.5 acres of Chablis and just over half an acre of the premier cru Les Butteaux. Pierrick Laroche's dedication to his craft is evident in every bottle of wine he produces. With a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, his wines showcase the unique terroir of Chablis, captivating enthusiasts with their finesse, complexity and distinct character. As Pierrick continues to nurture and expand his vineyards, he upholds the family legacy while leaving his own mark on the world of Chablis winemaking. Nose - Direct, Oyster Shells, Green Apples Developing scents of Granny Smith apples and flint with time in the glass. Palate - Silken, Quince, Concentrated The medium-bodied palate delivers fine acidity that cuts through the rich citrus fruit, along with touches of white peach and a tang of quince. Finish - Light Spice, Persistent, Saline Lightly spiced and quite persistent toward the saline finish. Excellent. Butteaux is one of the ‘climats’ of Premier cru Montmains which is regarded as one of the top Premier cru vineyard sites in Chablis lying beside or below Vaillons. Being one of the most southern locations for 1er cru in Chablis it is regarded as a cooler site with slightly later harvest. Here there is a very thin layer of clay which overlays the Kimmeridgian marls. Nearly 3 hectares extra. This is the first part of Butteaux as you leave Chablis next to Forets… Younger vines planted by father-in-law after some court-noué and it seems to be returning – 12-15 hl/ha in 2022. All barrel elevage again. A more subtle nose – quite direct though. Really a panoramic width of flavour here – silken, a little more apparent concentration/generosity – large-scale wine. Simply delicious but today I’d take the more linear l’Homme Mort. - Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report, January 2024.
Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay, Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills, Tasmania
Francois Millet & Fils 1er Cru Les Chaniots
Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny Montrachet Clavoillons
Product Information: This ideal site gives a roundness and generosity compared to the more elevated Folatieres which is just above on a slightly steeper slope. This wine offers a lovely fullness with great length in the mouth owing to its old vine (average 71 years), along with aromas of ripe and candied fruit. Premier Cru Clavoilons lies right in the middle of the Puligny Appellation between Perrieres to the north and Les Pucelles bordering on the south side. Only 2 families have ownership in this tiny 5.5855 ha vineyard, Chavy family have 0.7895 ha and the rest belonging to the various branches of the illustrious Leflaive family (replanting their plot in 1970’s). Here Jean-Louis has 0.32 ha of vines planted in 1952 just below Folatieres. Eleven months in the barrel followed by a further seven in stainless-steel tanks. 25-30% new barrels. "Jean-Louis Chavy’s wines are a masterclass in finesse, showcasing the purity of Puligny-Montrachet’s terroir." - Jancis Robinson. Maker: The Chavy family has been rooted in Puligny-Montrachet for over 200 years, but it was not until 1986 that Gérard Chavy began to estate-bottle his wines, previously selling them to négociants. Following Gérard's retirement around 2005, the estate was divided into two separate entities managed by his sons, Jean-Louis and Alain Chavy. Jean-Louis Chavy has since developed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, complete with a temperature-controlled cellar situated at the base of the village. This allows him to work comfortably while ensuring the wines are stored in optimal conditions. His son, Paul Chavy, has been part of the estate since before the pandemic and has embarked on creating his own range of wines, sourcing fruit from regions including Saint-Aubin and as far as Gevrey-Chambertin. The Chavy family continues to uphold a legacy of quality and tradition in their winemaking, offering a tantalising glimpse into the heart of Burgundy. For father and son terroir expression is paramount, with wines crafted in a consistent manner allowing the unique soil and exposure to shine through. Jean-Louis and Paul Chavy’s wines are effortless and unforced, showcasing exceptional fruit purity and a clear expression of terroir in each 1er cru. With his son Paul now working full-time at the estate after completing his winemaking studies, the added support in both the vineyard and cellar translates to even greater precision and clarity in every bottle. These wines embody a classic style, aging and developing gracefully over time. Quantities are always limited, and they sell out quickly upon release. So best to grab them while you can. The Philosophy: Vinification is classic with whole bunch pressing and 24 hours of settling with temperature control and only natural yeasts used for fermentation. Jean-Louis has not used any battonage on any cuvees for some years now. The average age of vines at this estate is impressive with most vineyards now aged between 30 to 50 years old though some in Folatieres and Clavoillons amongst the oldest planted in 1952. For the elevage of the wines the use of new oak is restrained with the village Puligny seeing only 15% new oak and the 1er cru’s just 25%. Recent years have seen a move towards 350 litre barrels for ageing to have less oak influence. Unfortunately there are no Grand cru vineyards among his holdings, however his 1er cru’s are located very close to some of the best vineyards in the heart of Puligny. Nose - Stone Fruits, Ripe, Candied Fruit There is a lovely density to the aromas and to the core of this wine. Palate - Lively, Yellow Fruits, Thread of Minerals Dense fruits. The palate is lively and the minerality zesty, which lightens the concentrated character. Finish - Bright Citrus, Chalky, Nutty Bright, faintly nutty-savoury, with citrus fruits linger on the finish.
Bouchard Pere & Fils 1er Cru Les Chalumaux
Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru La Boudriotte Blanc
MAISON PONSOT Cuvee de la Mésange
Pierre Girardin Meursault Les Casse Tete Blanc
Domaine Bernard Defaix Grand Cru Bougros
Domaine Bernard Defaix has been family-run for four generations, with a long-held focus on expressing the unique identity of each Chablis cru. Bougros is one of the seven Chablis Grands Crus, lying on the western edge of the slope near the river, where the soils are shallow and rich in Kimmeridgian limestone. The domaine farms organically and harvests by hand. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, with a proportion of older oak barrels used for ageing, lending texture without overt oak character. Each vintage of Bougros shows a firm mineral spine and a savoury, saline edge. The nose offers notes of preserved lemon, green apple, and oyster shell, while the palate brings tension and length, with citrus and chalky drive. Bernard’s sons, Sylvain and Didier, now lead the winemaking, continuing the estate’s work in vineyard-focused precision and restrained, site-led expression. This is a benchmark Grand Cru with a consistent record for age-worthiness and clarity.
Domaine Christian Moreau Père Et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir
Product Description: A sunny-side parcel with real finesse. Drawn from a mere 0.5-hectare plot planted in 1998, Moreau’s Vaudésir 2023 is a fine-boned, mineral-driven expression of Grand Cru Chablis. This parcel sits near the top of the slope with south-east exposure—capturing morning sun while preserving freshness. The fruit is handled with restraint: fermentation in stainless steel, followed by élevage in seasoned oak to bring textural depth without overt influence. The result is poised and detailed. Citrus, white peach and saline florals meet a fine, crystalline texture and quiet persistence. Compared to Moreau’s more muscular bottlings, Vaudésir carries itself with elegance and lift—a Grand Cru that speaks in clear, articulate tones rather than volume. Tasting Notes NOSE – Floral and refined White peach, acacia and citrus zest, with a subtle note of algae and fine oak. PALATE – Textural and mineral Medium weight and precise, layered with clean acidity and slate-like energy. FINISH – Balanced and complex Refined and persistent, with a mineral finish that unfolds slowly and cleanly. Reviews & Accolades “There is both fine intensity and a lovely texture to the mineral-driven medium weight flavors that deliver very good length on the balanced, refined and notably more complex finale. Lovely.” – Burghound, (91–93)/2030+, October 2024