Jean-Paul Benoit Droin Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2024

From one of Chablis’ most historic estates, Domaine Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin represents over 400 years of family winemaking, now in the hands of fourteenth-generation Benoît Droin. With vineyards spanning some of the region’s finest Premier and Grand Cru sites, the Domaine is renowned for its meticulous attention to terroir and its ability to balance tradition with precision.

Vaillons, one of Chablis’ most respected Premier Cru vineyards, sits on a mix of Portlandian soils and classic Kimmeridgian limestone, with pebbles and fossil-rich marl contributing to the wine’s depth and mineral intensity. Planted on plateaus around 200 metres in altitude, the site brings both freshness and structure.

Vinification is carefully judged to enhance expression without overshadowing the terroir: gentle pneumatic pressing, natural settling, and fermentation with indigenous yeasts in a combination of stainless steel and barrel. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for around 10 months, before light fining, gentle filtration and early bottling to preserve vibrancy.

On the nose, it is refined and expressive, with notes of orange peel, citrus blossom and delicate pastry, alongside a subtle floral lift of honeysuckle. The palate is textured and beautifully poised, with pure fruit, a fine mineral backbone and a balance of freshness and depth. There is both generosity and precision here, leading to a long, elegant and invigorating finish.

A superb Premier Cru Chablis, layered, mineral and harmoniously complex, offering both immediate appeal and excellent ageing potential.