Rene & Vincent Dauvissat Vaillons 1er Cru 2016 (750ML)

93-95 WA / 91-93 VM / 90-92 BH

The 2016 Chablis 1Er Cru Vaillons has a completely different aromatic profile compared to the Séchet, which Vincent puts down to the much deeper soil. There is immense purity on the nose here with scents of lemon curd, slate and sea spray aromas all beautifully sculpted and even shading the impressive 2015. The palate is spine-tingling in terms of harmony on the entry, with a perfect line of acidity. There is impressive body and more structure than you normally find in this premier cru. Perhaps as a consequence you might find it less flattering than other growers' Vaillons, at least at this stage. Yet it is endowed with great intensity and spiciness towards the finish that lingers so long in the mouth. I doubt you will find a much better Vaillons than this bewitching wine from Vincent Dauvissat. Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate

Pale, bright yellow. Piquant scents of lemon drop, white grapefruit and white peach. Tight and citrussy in the mouth and hiding its richness in the early going. But this rich yet energetic Vaillons boasts terrific purity of fruit and cut and a very long, rising, refined finish. This fruit was not frosted but the yield was still under 35 hectoliters per hectare, according to Dauvissat, who also told me that his degenerating old vines didn't produce a second generation of grapes in 2016. Stephen Tanzer – Vinous Media

Tasting note: Notes of white rose petal, oyster shell, lemon rind and pear introduce cool, pure and equally refined middle weight flavors that exude a subtle minerality on the clean, dry and impressively persistent finale. This is lovely stuff that should drink well early but reward 5 to 8 years of cellaring too. Allen Meadows – Burghound – Sweet Spot – Outstanding