Chablis Premier Cru “Montmains” 2022 – Jean & Sébastien Dauvissat

The mineral soul of Montmains

The Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2022 perfectly expresses the identity of this famous climat, located in the heart of the appellation. Here, Chardonnay achieves an ideal balance of freshness, structure, and elegance, thanks to marl, clay, and limestone soils that give a distinctive mineral signature. The southeast exposure and altitude of about 200 meters ensure regular ripening, resulting in a vibrant and refined white wine, ideal for those who seek a Premier Cru with strong personality and long persistence.

The history of Montmains

The Montmains vineyard has long been recognized as one of the most prestigious sites in Chablis, producing complex and age-worthy wines. The Dauvissat family has cultivated this parcel for generations, maintaining a style that blends purity with elegance. The 2022 vintage enjoyed excellent conditions: harvested at the end of September, the grapes reached perfect maturity, striking a balance between concentration and acidity. Limited production makes this cuvée a sought-after treasure for enthusiasts of fine Burgundy whites.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The Montmains vines, averaging 35 years of age, grow on soils composed of marl, clay, and limestone, the foundation of Chablis’ typicity. Careful vineyard management ensures balanced and aromatic grapes while preserving freshness. The southeast exposure provides constant sunlight, enhancing maturity while maintaining vibrancy. This natural balance translates into a Premier Cru of impressive depth, complexity, and unmistakable character.

Approach in the cellar

In the cellar, the Montmains 2022 undergoes alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, preserving its precision and freshness. The wine is then aged for about two years in oak on fine lees, adding richness, texture, and complexity without overshadowing the mineral backbone of Chardonnay. This dual approach, combining purity and structure, produces a Premier Cru that is both elegant and age-worthy, capable of captivating now and improving with time.

Tasting notes

Color: bright straw yellow with golden hues.
Nose: elegant and complex, with citrus, white flowers, and distinct mineral notes.
Palate: fresh and vibrant, with depth and tension, long and savory finish.

Food pairings

The Montmains 2022 is versatile at the table, pairing beautifully with oysters, shellfish, and lobster. It also complements baked fish, refined risottos, and delicate white meats. Thanks to its structure and minerality, it matches perfectly with goat cheese and aged cheeses, showcasing its full complexity.

Technical sheet – Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2022

• Region: Chablis, Burgundy

• Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru AOC

• Vineyard surface: approx. 0.62 hectares

• Exposure: southeast, 200 m a.s.l.

• Average vine age: 35 years

• Harvest: mechanical, late September 2022

• Vinification: alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel

• Aging: 24 months in oak on fine lees

• Fining: bentonite

• Filtration: kieselguhr

• Production: limited

• Closure: 100% natural cork

• Alcohol: 13% vol.

• Serving temperature: 11–13 °C

• Contains sulfites

The history of a family rooted in Chablis

The Dauvissat family has been a benchmark in Chablis for more than a century. The estate’s story began in 1899 and is today carried on by Sébastien, together with his mother Evelyne, following the passing of Jean. The winery is located beneath the 17th-century family house, at the entrance of the village of Chichée. A place where tradition and memory merge with a modern vision of production that has always favored quality over quantity. The first official bottling, in 1963, marked a turning point that, within a few decades, transformed the estate into one of the most highly regarded names in the Chablis appellation.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The estate extends over 11 hectares of vineyards, including prestigious plots located in Grand Cru with southern exposure and Premier Cru oriented southeast. The vines, averaging 30 to 50 years of age, fully express the unique characteristics of the terroir, defined here by Kimmeridgian soil. This rare geological formation, composed of marl and limestone from the Upper Jurassic with marine fossils dating back more than 145 million years, gives the wines their unmistakable personality. Vineyard philosophy emphasizes respect for natural balance, producing healthy and concentrated grapes capable of expressing the purest identity of Chablis.

Approach in the cellar

Work in the cellar reflects a constant pursuit of balance between tradition and innovation. Fermentation and aging take place mainly in stainless steel, a choice that highlights the freshness, minerality, and aromatic precision typical of wines from this region. However, in some vintages—particularly when yields are lower—part of the Premier Cru is also aged in oak, adding complexity without overshadowing the character of the terroir. This careful approach results in elegant, long-lived wines that clearly express their origin.

Vision and identity of the estate

Jean and Sébastien Dauvissat have created a deep link between family heritage and the future of the appellation. Their goal has always been to bottle the entire production—today around 50,000 bottles per year—while maintaining a style faithful to the purity of the terroir and to the most authentic expression of Chardonnay grown in Chablis. This philosophy distinguishes them as producers capable of interpreting the land with rigor and passion, offering wines that combine freshness, minerality, and great aging potential.