Chablis Hommage à Louis Grand Cru, Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin 2020

The 2020 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru Hommage à Louis has a refined and focused bouquet. The oak is deftly integrated and has impressive mineralité considering the growing season. This is powerful and quintessential Les Clos. The palate is fresh on the entry with a concentrated and weighty opening. Fresh orange rind and light mandarin notes, cohesive with well-integrated oak, feel dense and grippy on the finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting. (Drink between 2025-2048)

2020 marks the centenary of the first vintage of Les Clos made by Benoît Droin’s great-great-grandfather Louis (who was followed by Marcel, Paul, Jean-Paul and now Benoît. Les Clos is not mentioned on the label because of a current administrative spat where the Douanes (customs) and the INAO have a different opinion as to whether a particular plot should be classified as Clos or Valmur. With a bit of luck this should be resolved soon. In any case, the 2020 has a wonderful white fruit nose, really elegant and stylish. The grip here is exceptional with a spectacular intensity and no undue heat or sucrosity: a wonderful wine in the making.