2022 Chablis, Montmains, 1er Cru, Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin, Burgundy

From Montmains proper; 40% 2 and 3-year-old oak.

Prominent notes of mineral reduction and just-picked white flowers suffuse the aromas of tidal pool, algae and zest. The rich but vibrant medium-weight flavours possess even more obvious minerality that seems to become more obvious on the cool, firm and delineated finish that is clean, dry, citrusy and sneaky long. Lovely.

Drink from 2028 onward

The 2022 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru offers scents of grapefruit and orange rind on the nose, less flamboyant than the Vaillons, yet showing impressive delineation already. The palate is well-balanced, with a tangy opening and hints of marmalade infusing the citrus fruit with an almost steely finish. This will need time in bottle.

Drink 2026 - 2040

Although these a rich, deep soils, Droin says they retain a lot of seashell character. Lively and fresh on the palate, you can feel the cool terroir combined with warm, ripe fruit. Very classy and will age beautifully. Benoit Droin explains that it is the argile-bleu blue clay) found here which adds extra volume.

Drink 2025 - 2030