Description
Domaine Guy Robin, Chablis Grand Cru “Vaudésir”
When it comes to bolstering any collection of elite Chardonnay, sage investors look to a single hillside in Chablis where seven vineyards huddle together to provide the most affordable Grand Cru experiences in Burgundy. However, all Grand Cru Chablis is not created equal, so we’ve rolled out a foolproof, one-step plan to sidestep disappointment: (1) Seek out the wines of Domaine Guy Robin. Extremely old vines, minimalist intervention, and judicious barrel aging are major keys to their continued success but with the 2019 vintage, they were able to coax out new dimensions of generosity and depth. It’s also a screaming Grand Cru value at $79, so whether drinking now or in 10 years, you simply must grab a few bottles for your cellar.
The family’s treasured piece of Grand Cru Vaudésir is a half-acre of old vines. As Burgundy geeks know, Vaudésir is one of the higher-elevation Grand Crus, and its amphitheater shape includes a section with a pure southerly aspect. The Robin parcel is predominantly south-facing, with a slight tilt to the west as you move downslope; soils are the classic mix of Kimmeridgian limestone and clay, which in Vaudésir skews a little more clayey, lending the wines a softer edge. Soft indeed: This ’19 is ripe, explosive, and bursting with lush textures that will keep you celebrating over the next decade and beyond. As far as Grand Cru white Burgundy goes, this consistently makes the shortlist of top values.