J. Moreau & Fils Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2019  £24.58

J. Moreau & Fils Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

Located on the left bank of the Serein river, in the southwest of the Chablis region, the 105 hectares of Premier Cru Vaillons vines enjoy particularly favourable exposure and the wines are well deserving of their excellent reputation.

All the Chablis soil diversity is embodied by this Premier Cru from a meticulous selection of 3 plots blended after separate vinification.

The most recent list of Premiers Crus was issued in 1986. 79 hamlets figure on the list and cover a surface area of approximately 700 ha. The winegrowers of Chablis grouped together these hamlets under the names of 17 “climats” or single vineyards. These vineyards are located on either side of the Serein river in the communes of Chablis, Fontenay, Maligny, Chichée, La Chapelle-Vaupelpeigne, Courgis, Fleys, and Beines.

2019 was, again, a unique and very changeable year. It brought its own stresses for a great many producers, while harvesting passed without a hitch. Quantities were distinctly limited (down between 10 and 30%).

This is the result of all the various weather episodes possible that affected the vines depending on their location: Frost, hail, tricky flowering, drought, and heatwave in July. The consolation was that the juice is of very good quality, with high sugar levels and nice concentration. And contrary to what we might have expected, the acid balance was very nice.

Since the start of the 20th century, every vintage that has ended with a “9” has been wonderful. The only downside to this one is below-average volumes.