2012 Chablis Les Preuses

The 2012 Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses comes from their 2.12 hectares of vine and sees 20 months in stainless steel and wooden barrels. It has a pretty and quite airy bouquet with apple blossom, lime flower, flint and light peachy aromas that are harmonious and engaging. The palate is well-balanced with a slightly honeyed entry, the acidity cutting through nicely, and it gradually builds to quite a rich, almost decadent honeyed finish. There is good substance and concentration here, and with bottle age hopefully it will gain a little finesse to combine that together. La Chablisienne is one of Chablis’ most high-profile cooperatives and a great success story. Founded back in 1923 and still going strong, it is said that they oversee approximately one-quarter of the region’s production, around 300 individual growers. Therefore, just like Georges Duboeuf in Beaujolais or Louis Jadot in the Cote d’Or, it is important that they maintain standards irrespective of high volumes, since their size ensures that they have an ambassadorial role for Chablis, for ordinary punters perhaps seeking to broaden their horizons. In this respect, the wines should not be looked down upon given the showing here. While none of them reached the heady heights of Chablis’ most revered artisans, there was certainly a consistency across the range that when coupled with the volume produced, deserves to be applauded. Importers: Ruby Wines (MA), Opici Wines (NY), Grape Expectations (CA), Brescome Barton (CT)