Rene & Vincent Dauvissat Chablis les Clos 2016 (750ML)

96-98 WA / 94-96 VM / 92-95 BH

The 2016 Chablis Grand Cru les Clos has a correct, strict and intense bouquet with white citrus fruit, apple blossom, flint and just a faint touch of blackcurrant. After aeration it loosens its tie and starts to evolve smoke and hazelnut aromas. The palate is very mineral driven with beguiling tension that demands the full attention of your senses. It comes across quite spicy in the mouth with touches of ginger, curry leaf and Chinese five spice. Texturally, it becomes slightly more honeyed towards the finish—a wonderful crescendo—and the aftertaste lingers for more than a minute. To put in the most banal of terms...wow. That sums it up in three letters. Neal Martin – The Wine advocate

Pale yellow. High-pitched aromas of grapefruit zest, ginger and quinine; much spicier than the Preuses in the early going. Silky on entry, then fine-grained and firm in the middle, a bit more austere than the Preuses and not showing quite as much early personality. Strong element of crushed stone and saline minerality. This racy grand cru finishes with terrific pungent lemon zest and mineral flavors and outstanding length. A wine of great finesse and purity: here the strong mineral component stands in nicely for the low acidity. This and the Preuses are quite splendid in the context of the vintage. Stephen Tanzer – Vinous Media

Tasting note: A much more floral nose invokes ample citrus and white orchard fruit aromas that are liberally laced with an abundance of classic Chablis elements along with hints of clove and anise. As is almost always the case, the big-bodied flavors are more obviously powerful and punchy than those of the Preuses while culminating in a driving, explosive and mineral-driven finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. Still, this is most impressive though note that it is also very clearly built-to-age and will need at least some. Allen Meadows – Burghound – Don’t Miss