2023 Joseph Drouhin 'Drouhin-Vaudon' Vaudésir Chablis Grand Cru 750ml

Overview

Joseph Drouhin 'Drouhin-Vaudon' Vaudésir is a Grand Cru Chardonnay from one of Chablis' most distinctive vineyards. Vaudésir forms a steep, amphitheatre-like site with southern and south-western exposures, combining Grand Cru scale and complexity with the characteristic mineral expression of Chablis' Kimmeridgian limestone.

Vintage

2023 was one of the hottest years in Burgundy, surpassing even 2022. The grapes were harvested at perfect maturity, producing highly aromatic wines with yellow-fruit and floral notes. The vintage combines an ample, full-bodied palate with generosity, freshness and finesse.

Vineyard & Viticulture

Vaudésir is one of the seven Grand Crus of Chablis and one of the largest among them. Its unusual rounded form and steep slopes create two principal exposures: due south in the northern section and south-west in the southern section. The vineyard lies on Kimmeridgian limestone containing ancient marine fossils, contributing to the distinctive mineral and saline character associated with Chablis.

Maison Joseph Drouhin has practised organic viticulture across its estate since the late 1980s and biodynamic viticulture since the 1990s. Deliberately low yields are used to encourage precise expression of each terroir.

Winemaking

The grapes are harvested by hand in open-work crates and carefully sorted when necessary. Whole bunches are slowly pressed in a pneumatic press, with the final press juice separated from the free-run juice. After light settling, alcoholic fermentation and ageing take place in 500L oak barrels with no new oak for 12–15 months.

Producer Tasting Notes

Véronique Boss-Drouhin: “An exquisite wine often drunk on its own as an aperitif. Pure and limpid colour, with a faint greenish hint. On the nose, fresh aromas of flower and fruit (lemony flavours) and, at times, spicy notes of coriander. On the palate: harmonious aromas bringing character and elegance. The magnitude of its Grand Cru origin and the light salty notes from the Kimmeridgian soil are in evidence. Remarkably long and complex persistence in the aftertaste.”

Critic Reviews

93/100 — Tim Atkin MW
Tasted October 2024

Specifications

• Vintage: 2023
• Grape Variety: Chardonnay
• Region: Vaudésir Grand Cru, Chablis, Burgundy, France
• Classification: Chablis Grand Cru
• Soil: Kimmeridgian limestone
• Production Attributes: Hand harvested, whole-bunch pressed, organic and biodynamic viticulture
• Fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation in oak barrels
• Maturation: 12–15 months in 500L oak barrels
• Oak Type: No new oak
• Serving Temperature: 13°C
• Optimal Consumption: 4–10 years
• Ageing Potential: 15 years