A classical wine for those looking for a weeknight Chablis from a top producer with case quantities available.
91 Points William Kelley of Wine Advocate
“Offering up aromas of citrus zest, crisp green apple, white flowers, freshly baked bread and light reduction, the 2020 Chablis Vieilles Vignes is medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, with tangy acids, fine depth at the core and a long, mineral finish.”
From Brandon Kerne, Master Sommelier, Art of Cellaring Selections
I get asked at least once a week if we have any Vincent Dauvissat in stock. However, a better question is what wines taste like Dauvissat, but are cheaper? I'd like to nominate Jean-Claude Bessin (now named Bessin-Tremblay) as your new Dauvissat killer. This is one of the last Mohicans in Chablis to produce affordable wines that deliver elite-level quality. This is a rare opportunity where a relatively under-the-radar producer with affordable wines receives glowing reviews from almost every critic that reviews the wines, AND sommeliers around the world think the wines overdeliver for their piercing acidity and pitch perfect typicity. In fact, I blind tasted our Master Sommelier tasting group on the 2022 Valmur Grand Cru two weeks ago, and the consensus conclusion was this must be a Dauvissat wine from a top vineyard.
The oyster shell minerality and salinity is so well-defined in these wines that you could paint a picture and frame it. Each year I have to wipe my eyes and double check the pricing on the Grand Cru Valmur in particular, which is potentially the greatest value in Chablis Grand Cru wines. With that being said, my heart is always in these Premier Crus, which deliver the Chablis archetype in high definition. There is very little access to these and I encourage you to buy now if you want them.
As I've written several times, this estate really deserves to be talked about more, as it belongs among Chablis's top half-dozen domaines." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Although Jean-Claude retired in 2020, hence the name change to Bessin-Tremblay, his son Romain has taken the reins, and his mother was a Tremblay. His legacy endures through Romain and the estate’s continued commitment to the land and farming practices. The estate has been certified organic for over seven years and practices biodynamic farming, leading to a more natural approach in the cellar with natural fermentations and minimal intervention. The elevage is long and in neutral wood and tank creating a super complex lineup in all of the tiers.
The exhibition of the 2022 vintage this year only renewed the confidence we already have in this top estate. Josh Thomas, our San Antonio partner, and I went to Burgundy last year and these wines were tasted next to all the other great producers. These have been vetted. Enjoy!
