2012 Chablis Vaillons

The 2012 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons is likewise aged in 20% wooden barrels and the rest in stainless steel. It has a light, chalk dust-scented bouquet that is well-defined but would benefit from more vigor. The palate is well-balanced with plenty of citrus lemon and pithy pear notes on the entry. This conservative but decent Vaillons possesses commendable weight as well as fine density and persistency on the finish. Drink 2015-2023. The Defaix family is one of the stalwarts of the village of Milly, although it was not until the 1960s that Bernard, together with his wife Monique, began bottling his own wine. The vineyard holdings were expanded over the years and it is presently Didier and Sylvain who run the domaine, the former generally out among the vines, the latter in the winery. (Incidentally, it is Didier’s wife, Helene, who runs Domaine Jaeger-Defaix in Rully.) There are 26 hectares of vine that were officially certified organic in 2009. Grapes are harvested mechanically, gently pressed, and then fermented and matured in either stainless steel or wooden oak barrels depending upon the wine. During those 8 to 12 months there is regular batonnage. There are both domaine and negociant bottlings, the latter including the premier cru of Fourchaume and the two grand crus. Theirs was a very commendable range of 2012s that displayed impressive consistency from the village cru upwards. They might be described as traditional Chablis in the best sense of the word and all-in-all, represent excellent value-for-money compared to other growers. Importer: Winebow (Illinois), Vin de Garde (Oregon and Washington State) and Vigneron Imports (California)