2016 Louis Michel Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

Louis Michel

France / Chablis / Louis Michel

Kimmeridgian soils on the left bank. Hard limestone on a clay base, relatively deep soil with a browny red appearance. This generally features parcels from the tiny climats of Chatains, Roncières and Mélinots.

September, 2018

Nick Stock

jamessuckling.com

92 points.

One of the earliest plots to be harvested each year. This has attractive apricots and some hints of lemon butter. Smooth, fleshy and silky. A very elegant, smooth and drinkable style. A twist of herbs at the finish. Very drinkable now.

September, 2018

William Kelley

Wine Advocate

91 points.

The 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons is one wine that may surpass its 2017 counterpart, offering up a honeyed bouquet of Meyer lemon and pear, followed by a medium to full-bodied palate, with lovely structural elegance and a certain sun-kissed generosity that remains nicely controlled. It exemplifies the charm of which Vaillons is capable.

Standard Bottle Out of Stock

About Louis Michel

The Michel family have been cultivating their passion for tradition and the Chablis terroir since 1850. The winery is situated in the heart of the village, with the 25-hectare vineyard spread over the very first slopes that were discovered by Cistercian monks in the 11th century. Forty years ago, the family decided to stop making the wine in wooden barrels, preferring to create clean, pure and precise Chablis without adding artificial woody tastes. Through this philosophy, combined with the limited yields inspired by organic winegrowing techniques, the domaine has developed a worldwide reputation for fine winemaking in stainless steel tanks. Today it’s Guillaume Michel who upholds the family tradition and further its reputation.

About

Guillaume Michel is the sixth-generation representative of a family which has been making wine since 1850. He was recently handed the reins by his uncle Jean-Loup Michel. Their philosophy is to impart as little interference as possible, with the two principal ambitions being to respect the environment and to reflect the terroir in their wines.