2010 Chablis Montee de Tonnerre

Unfortunately, the 2010 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre is harder to read today. It reflects the nature of the year in its equally intense fruit and acidity. Today the 2010 is incredibly shut down, but it should be great when it awakens. White peaches, pears, minerals, oyster shells all make an appearance in this savory, delicate wine of impeccable class and pure breeding. This is a great example of Montée de Tonnerre.

Unfortunately, the 2010 Chablis Montee de Tonnerre is harder to read today. It reflects the nature of the year in its equally intense fruit and acidity. Today, the 2010 is incredibly shut down, but it should be great when it awakens. White peaches, pears, minerals and oyster shells all make an appearance in this savory, delicate wine of impeccable class and pure breeding. This is a great example of Montee de Tonnerre. Anticipated maturity: 2015+. Bernard Billaud told me he views 2011 as a classic Chablis vintage, one of the few producers who holds that view. The growing season got off to an early start, with flowering that was three weeks ahead of schedule. The harvest began on September 10, as opposed to late September/early October, which is much more common. I tasted most of the 2011s from tank and/or barrel, except the Petit Chablis and Chablis, which were bottled in May 2012. Always eloquent, Billaud describes 2010 as a ‘grand millesime.’ Vintage 2010 at the domaine was characterized by a rainy summer with little heat. On average, yields were down 25%. Billaud bottled his 2010 grand crus in May 2012. Importer: Langdon Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900

Pale, bright yellow-green. Rigorous aromas of lime, white nectarine, crushed stone and anise, lifted by a minty topnote. Tactile and bracing, with penetrating lime and crushed stone flavors intensified by vibrant acidity. This powerful, piercing wine boasts grand cru intensity and structure and appears to be built for a slow and graceful evolution in bottle.