CHABLIS
2023 Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru Montmains Domaine Raoul Gautherin
| Grapes | Chardonnay |
| Colour | White |
| Origin | France, Burgundy |
| Other | Vegetarian, Vegan |
| District | Chablis |
| Classification | 1er Cru |
| ABV | 13.5% |
| Vineyard | Montmains |
Three parcels, two of which are in Butteaux. Adrien vinifies this in concrete eggs - experimentation having persuaded him that this is the best way to capture the 'white flowers' essence of Montmains. He now feels the wine 'is the Montmains I had in my head'. It seems he is right, as this is floral on the nose, and distinctive in the mouth too. Succulent and full of tension and yet more flavour to come in the concentrated middle, it finishes with a long flare of citrus and floral notes. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 L&S (Oct 2025)
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DELIVERY SERVICE
We offer free nationwide delivery on all orders over £150 (excluding Highlands & Islands). Express Delivery options also available.The 2023 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is something I would serve to those convinced the region no longer produces "old school" Chablis. This has a fresh green apple-, pear- and light grassy meadow-scented bouquet with a steely reserve. It could give you more...but this knows it's better not to. The palate is very well balanced with a silver bead of acidity. This is linear with fine depth and a malic finish. The 2023 is superb. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jun 2025)
Domaine Raoul Gautherin
Who knew that there was a top domaine in Chablis with a wide range Grands Crus, without a UK importer in 2025? Well thank you Neal Martin for this one - what a great discovery!
Clearly Raoul and his son Alain (who I am sure I visited in another, pre-L&S life, in about 1985 or 1986) have put this domaine on a fantastic footing. Judging by the 1992 Montmains which I drank with Alain's son Adrien, Alain himself was no slouch at winemaking either. But it seems that the arrival of Adrien in 2017 has added a whole new level of precision and intent.
What is truly remarkable is the way that many of the wines are treated individually for their own specificity - the Chablis is cold fermented and aged in tank, the Chablis Vieilles Vignes is aged 12 months in barrel, The Montmains is vinified and aged in concrete eggs, the Lys is aged up to 24 months in tank, the Vaudésir aged in barrel, and then the Vaudésir Reserve is aged longer yet in tank.
Our first tasting here was a revelation, and we very much look forward working with Adrien over the long term.
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