Jean-Paul Benoit Droin Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2024

Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin is one of the historic names of Chablis, with over 400 years of family history and Benoît now the fourteenth generation at the estate. Vaillons is a premier cru on the left bank of the Serein, planted on Kimmeridgian limestone formed around 150 million years ago and packed with marine fossils. This calcareous soil is the source of the tension and stony character that runs through the wine, and it lets the roots reach deep for water and minerals. The cool northern Burgundian climate gives a long, slow ripening that preserves acidity and keeps the fruit precise. The wine is barrel fermented and aged for about ten months, using mainly older wood so the oak frames the fruit and adds a light toasted note without dominating. Time on fine lees rounds the mid palate and adds a subtle savoury depth. It pours pale gold with green tints and opens with orange peel, lemon, pear and white flowers over a chalky, flinty base. The palate is dry and taut, with fresh acidity, real mid palate weight from the barrel and lees work, and a long saline finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees. It is a natural match for oysters and richer fish dishes.