Sebastien Dampt. Les Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2024

 

Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

Burgundy Chardonnay

Domaine Sébastien Dampt is located in Milly, just west of the village of Chablis. While the name of this village may not be well-known, its location is exceptionally beautiful. It sits beneath the premier cru Côte de Léchet, and a little further south lies the premier cru Vaillons. Sébastien has plots in both crus. While Vaillons may be more renowned than Côte de Léchet, according to Sébastien, tasters often prefer the latter when the two are served blind alongside each other.

Sébastien's plot in Côte de Léchet faces southeast, allowing the grapes to ripen optimally. The vines are over 50 years old. The wines from this premier cru are characterized by concentrated fruit and exceptional minerality. They also age exceptionally well. It's no wonder his grandfather always kept a few boxes.

In terms of vinification, Sébastien keeps things simple. His approach is traditional, as he learned from his father and grandfather. In Chablis, this means fermentation and aging in steel tanks. Winemaking techniques like battonage or oak aging are not used by Sébastien; he focuses on pure grape and terroir expression. The wine does undergo the malolactic fermentation customary in Chablis, which rounds out the acidity a bit more.

With this impressive premier cru, Dampt proves that top-class Chardonnay doesn't always need oak. Less is definitely more in this case. Enjoy this beautiful wine ideally with a rich fish dish, mushrooms, or a creamy Burgundy cheese. And don't forget to put a few bottles aside, just like Sébastien's grandfather.