2023 Christophe et Fils Chablis AC
WINEMAKER: Sébastien Christophe
REGION: Burgundy, FR
VARIETY: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Sustainable
"A good portion of Sebastien’s stable of Chablis 'Villages' vineyards face the Grand Cru Blanchots and sit just west on the hill home to the great 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre. The soil in this particular spot is unusually brittle Kimmeridgian marl that is friable, coarse and sharp compared to most in Chablis. A close look at the soil under a magnifying glass reveals a composition of almost pure decomposed fossilized miniature oyster shells and not much else. The numerous plots for this wine come from various altitudes and expositions from west to north on the calcium rich clay right bank of the Serein. This brings multidimensional mineral-rich characteristics with depth and more roundness and weight compared to those from other side of the river.
Consistently excellent year after year after year, the 2023 Chablis is again at it's crisp, incisive best! Very pure wine graced with good energy and grip in its bright fruit and long, elegant finish. After time in the glass, the wine’s class begins to emerge and it's saline, citrus and geological qualities build. This is flat out terrific Chablis from Sébastien Christophe." - Andrew Guard
The wines of Domaine Christophe all display classic Chablis notes of shells and green apples on the nose, along with a pretty, underlying hint of white flower and lemon. It's the kind of bright nose that gives the drinker an intimation of the acidity and tension that will follow on the palate, which is indeed nervy but also generous with an appealing balance of flavours offset by a rocky, shell-y harmony. The wine finishes with the sort of mouth-coating minerality and mouth-watering citrusy acidity that makes Chablis a favourite amongst lovers of wines that truly reflect their terroir.