CHABLIS

2020 Grand Cru Les Clos Domaine Vincent Dauvissat

EN PRIMEUR

Fatter sort of wine than the Preuses, there's a sleekness which recalls the Forest. With the volume comes the mineral, the lively, springy detail. Mouth watering intensity, the mineral comes back and leaves one begging for more. Drinking range: 2028 - 2045L&S (Oct 2021)

* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

(from 3 different parcels of 50+ year old vines that total 1.0 ha). While not quite as elegant, the restrained nose is even more floral and a bit spicier as well with its array of anise, smoke, tea, oyster shell and iodine-scented aromas. There is more size, weight and power if not the same refinement to the more evidently mineral-driven big-bodied flavors that coat the palate on the driving, balanced and youthfully austere finish. This terrific effort is also a legitimate candidate for wine of the vintage honors. Drinking range: 2023 - 2032 Rating: 96 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jan 2023)

Much more compact than the Preuses. Deep, densely layered, and full-bodied, it flexes with svelte muscularity. The volume and richness contrast with a cold austerity which cuts under the palate and pushes on to the finish. Powerful, straight, and persistent. It is restrained and contained. Nothing flashy here. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 95-96 World of Fine Wine Magazine (Apr 2022)

Vincent's plots – all found in the top two-thirds of Les Clos – are vinified together. The 2020 shows impressive density – even a chewiness – with some palate-coating dry extract. The flavors are primarily citrusy with some white nectarine, herbal uplift and a kiss of toasty oak. This is dynamic in palate feel and flavor diversity and is expertly balanced. Drinking range: 2026 - 2045Christy Canterbury MW - TimAtkin.com (Feb 2022)

Pale lemon yellow. The nose has a tiny vegetal reduction which blows off. Fresh hay perhaps. Striking white fruit intensity, so complete, what a wealth of concentration, a wine which will give exceptional happiness in decades to come. Succulence with a hint of sucrosity. There is a huge weight of fruit then a very dry finish. The texture indicates that the grapes were fully ripe. Rating: 93-96 Jasper Morris - Inside Burgundy  (Jan 2022)

The 2020 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru displays a little more depth and complexity than the Les Preuses. Touches of yellow plum, orange blossom, flint and light white tea scents percolate through with aeration. The palate is very intense on the entry and a bit richer than the Les Preuses. The harmonious, intense, well-defined finish lingers long in the mouth, leaving a spicy, peppery residue on the aftertaste. Excellent. Drinking range: 2030 - 2055 Rating: 95-97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Oct 2021)

A domaine of 12.7 hectares, comprising a hectare each of the Grands Crus Clos and Preuses, 3.7ha of Premier Cru Forest, 1.3ha of Vaillons, 0.4ha of Séchet, .3ha of Montée de Tonnerre, 3.3ha of Chablis, 1.1ha of Petit Chablis, and .6ha of Irancy (red).

Vincent Dauvissat remains one of the (if not the) leading lights of Chablis, and his wines are always in high demand and limited volume.

Vincent's grandfather Robert was the first to start bottling under the family name in 1931 and Vincent uses the same cellar today - but the family have been growing grapes here since the 18th century. Today his single-minded determination in the vineyard, where he follows biodynamic principles (without certification) followed by very subtle use of old oak barrels as part of a long élevage, produce some of Chablis' most age-worthy and fascinating wines.

Vincent advises drinking the Grands Crus either young, (within the first three years) or after 10 years when they are becoming fully evolved. Serve at 13C, so that the wine will warm up to about 15C before tasting - any colder masks the subtleties. He prefers to serve the wine directly in glasses rather than decanting it, so as not to miss the first nose and its evolution - with an old wine he advises simply smelling this evolution over the first half an hour before tasting.

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STORAGE OPTIONS:

Wines bought en primeur are scheduled to arrive in the UK over the course of the next eighteen months. If you do not wish to take home delivery, you may wish to consider where you would like the wines shipped on arrival in the UK. Lea & Sandeman offers duty paid and in bond storage through a dedicated storage company called Elephant Storage. For more details on the terms and fees associated with storage please go to our Storage Homepage or contact our primeurs team for more information.

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BURGUNDY EN PRIMEUR FAQ

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