Chablis is the muse for un-oaked, bright, zippy, and mineralic Chardonnay. The version from Courtault-Michelet checks all of those boxes and more. Brand new to the US, we picked up 60 of the 120 bottles that made their way to WNC, and only about 500 cases were produced.
One sniff and sip of their Chablis, and you can immediately detect that they not only know what they're doing, they also care about what they're doing. Stephanie Courtault and her husband Vincent Michelet work with 30+ year-old organic vines in Lignerolles, in the northern part of Chablis.
This is a crystal clear translation of the Kimmeridgian limestone of Chablis, and the duo do very little in their cellars to impede the natural beauty these old vines provide. The finished wine is as pure and vibrant as Chardonnay gets. Highly recommended by your friendly wine monger : )
2023 Domaine Courtault-Michelet Chablis -- Why should you buy it?
- This is the quintessential, classic Chablis. Crisp, bright, and minerally to its core, this is the wine I would use if tasked to teach a class on Chablis.
- Chablis is the northern-most zone of Burgundy, and it is always based entirely on Chardonnay. It can be confusing, as grocery stores carry big jugs labeled as "Mountain Chablis." Trust me, those aren't anything like this wine : )
- There is zero oak used in the making of this wine. Not all Chardonnay is buttery and oaky, and this wine stands in stark contrast to the "butter bomb style" that California Chardonnay can often be.
- Packed with juicy and vibrant aromas and flavors of green pear, Meyer lemon, green apple, and wet rock, it's so refreshing, pleasing, and lengthy on the palate.
Finding small grower, delicious Chablis for under $35 is no easy task these days, but we managed to do just that. Enjoy this classy White Burgundy with oysters, smoked salmon, or grilled scallops for a wonderful wine-and-dine experience.
