Notify me
2016 Chablis 1er Cru “Vaillons”
Domaine CostalWhen I sat down write this, my plan was to focus on the cold climate of Chablis. To write about how the vignerons were forced to implement widespread anti-frost systems just to survive. Or about how the traditional Chablis barrel, the feuillette, is smaller than elsewhere in Burgundy because the local oak trees, stunted by wind and cold, never grew as big as their more southerly cousins. I was all set to paint Chablis as the wine region equivalent of Pluto, the outsider of the Burgundian solar system following its own orbit on the frigid fringes.
And then the other night, after the kids had gone to bed, my wife and I opened this particular bottle, from one of Chablis’ oldest premier cru vineyards, for a nightcap. Yes, this is classic Chablis, where Chardonnay speaks with a clipped and flinty accent, but there’s also a beautiful, sunny aspect to this wine that I was not expecting. As I got deeper into the glass, I noticed a little floral note here, a touch of ripeness there, and before I knew it, my carefully crafted analogy crumbled. Then, pretty soon afterward, the bottle was empty as well.
—Dustin Soiseth
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chardonnay |
Appellation: | Chablis |
Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Producer: | Domaine Costal |
Winemaker: | Gilles & Romain Collet |
Vineyard: | 30 years, 9.6 ha |
Soil: | Kimmeridgian Limestone |
Aging: | After racking, wine goes through malolactic fermentation in 1/3 stainless tank, 1/3 neutral barrel (228 L), and 1/3 used demi-muid barrel (600 L) |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Chablis “Les Truffières”
France | Burgundy
Devouring a fresh crab and pairing it with this pure, elegant, chalky, earthy (wet stone), and stunning finish is the perfect combo.
2022 Chablis 1er Cru ”Butteaux”
France | Burgundy
There is no mistaking it—one taste and you are in Chablis territory: zesty minerality, wet stone, freshness and nervosity.
2022 Bourgogne Rouge “L’Ermitage”
France | Burgundy
A beautiful Cadette rouge with a bit more structure and plenty of pleasure.
2022 Chablis 1er Cru “Mont de Milieu”
France | Burgundy
Top-notch, organically farmed premier cru Chablis.
2021 Chablis 1er Cru ”Butteaux”
France | Burgundy
There is no mistaking it—one taste and you are in Chablis territory: zesty minerality, wet stone, freshness and nervosity.
2019 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
France | Burgundy
A classic Charmes, sensual and graceful, with a deep core of concentration.
2020 Bourgogne Rouge
France | Burgundy
Bargain access to one of Burgundy’s established masters, ready to drink tonight.
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Cailles”
France | Burgundy
One of Burgundy’s established masters.
2022 Chablis 1er Cru “Vaillons”
France | Burgundy
A stunning value from one of Chablis’ oldest premier cru vineyards, with a lovely mouthful of stone fruit and hint of lemongrass.
2022 Vézelay Blanc “La Châtelaine”
France | Burgundy
La Châtelaine highlights what may be the best terroir of Vézelay and why this little appellation is on the map in the first place.
About The Producer
Domaine Costal
About The Region
Burgundy
In eastern central France, Burgundy is nestled between the wine regions of Champagne to the north, the Jura to the east, the Loire to the west, and the Rhône to the south. This is the terroir par excellence for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The southeast-facing hillside between Dijon in the north and Maranges in the south is known as the Côte d’Or or “golden slope.” The Côte d’Or comprises two main sections, both composed of limestone and clay soils: the Côte de Nuits in the northern sector, and the Côte de Beaune in the south. Both areas produce magnificent whites and reds, although the Côte de Beaune produces more white wine and the Côte de Nuits more red.
Chablis is Burgundy’s northern outpost, known for its flinty and age-worthy Chardonnays planted in Kimmeridgian limestone on an ancient seabed. Vézelay is a smaller area south of Chablis with similar qualities, although the limestone there is not Kimmeridgian.
To the south of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise extends from Chagny on its northern end, down past Chalon-sur-Saône and encompasses the appellations of Bouzeron in the north, followed by Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny.
Directly south of the Chalonnaise begins the Côte Mâconnais, which extends south past Mâcon to the hamlets of Fuissé, Vinzelles, Chaintré, and Saint-Véran. The Mâconnais is prime Chardonnay country and contains an incredible diversity of soils.
More from Burgundy or France
2019 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru “Les Pruliers”
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2021 Côte de Nuits-Villages
Domaine Gachot-Monot France | Burgundy
2020 Pouilly-Fuissé “Les Reisses Vieilles Vignes”
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Rouge “L’Ermitage”
Domaine de la Cadette France | Burgundy
2018 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2019 Mâcon-Villages
Santini Collective France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis 1er Cru “Beauroy”
Domaine Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2021 Fixin
Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy
2021 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy
2018 Irancy “La Grande Côte”
Benoît Cantin France | Burgundy
2021 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy
2021 Bourgogne Blanc
La Soeur Cadette France | Burgundy
2019 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru “Les Pruliers”
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2021 Côte de Nuits-Villages
Domaine Gachot-Monot France | Burgundy
2020 Pouilly-Fuissé “Les Reisses Vieilles Vignes”
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Rouge “L’Ermitage”
Domaine de la Cadette France | Burgundy
2018 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2019 Mâcon-Villages
Santini Collective France | Burgundy
2022 Chablis 1er Cru “Beauroy”
Domaine Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2021 Fixin
Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy
2021 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy
2018 Irancy “La Grande Côte”
Benoît Cantin France | Burgundy
2021 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Régis Bouvier France | Burgundy
2021 Bourgogne Blanc
La Soeur Cadette France | Burgundy
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312