2016 Chablis Valourent

The 2016 Chablis Vaulorent 1er Cru has a really lovely bouquet with dried pineapple, musk, chalk dust and yellow flower aromas. The palate is well balanced with a smooth entry, nicely pitched acidity with a gorgeous yellow plum, orange rind and light strawberry finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent.

Tangy and rich, but without the same definition as their Montée de Tonnerre. Full bodied, and while the acid is certainly present, the palate is fat overall. A good demonstration of the fuller side of Chablis. Attractive flinty notes on the finish. (RH)

(all of William Fèvre's vines in Fourchaume are situated in Vaulorent, where they're the largest land owner; there's usually a separate estate bottling labeled as Fourchaume but not in 2016): Pale green-tinged yellow. Musky, complex aromas of citrus fruits, spices, minerals and pepper. Ripe fruit notes are joined by a hint of exotic lichee, but the wine's pliant texture is nicely supported by pepper, spices and minerals. This fairly large-scaled, savory wine boasts an exhilarating balance of sweetness and acidity. Finishes with explosive length and a strong impression of terroir . The crop level here was just 18 hectoliters per hectare and my notes say that this wine is at the same high level of quality as the Montée de Tonnerre.