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

The vertical elegance of Vaillons

The Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2022 showcases the structure and tension typical of Chablis Premier Cru wines. The vines grow on soils rich in marl, clay, and limestone, giving the wine intense minerality and a defined character. Southeast exposure and an altitude of around 200 meters ensure uniform ripening, producing a Chardonnay that is fresh, vibrant, and capable of evolving beautifully over the years.

The history of Vaillons

The Vaillons vineyard is considered one of the most prestigious in Chablis, known for producing elegant and age-worthy wines. The Dauvissat family has cultivated this plot for generations, respecting the terroir and expressing its authenticity. The 2022 vintage saw a late September harvest with healthy, perfectly ripe grapes, balanced between acidity and concentration. Limited production makes this wine a true gem for enthusiasts of high-quality Chardonnay.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The Vaillons vines, averaging 35 years of age, grow on soils of marl, clay, and limestone, the foundation of Chablis typicity. Careful vineyard management ensures balanced, aromatic grapes while preserving freshness. Southeast exposure provides constant sunlight, promoting gradual maturation and preserving vibrancy and minerality. The result is a Premier Cru that is structured, elegant, and with great aging potential.

Approach in the cellar

In the cellar, the Vaillons 2022 undergoes alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, preserving varietal purity. Aging takes place for about two years in oak on fine lees, adding richness and complexity without overshadowing its mineral character. This balance between purity and structure results in an elegant wine, harmonious and ready for both immediate enjoyment and long-term evolution.

Tasting notes

Color: bright straw yellow with golden reflections.
Nose: complex and mineral, with aromas of white fruit, citrus, and subtle floral notes.
Palate: fresh and vibrant, with tension and depth, long and savory finish.

Food pairings

The Vaillons 2022 pairs perfectly with seafood, oysters, shellfish, and baked fish. It also complements delicate risottos, white meats, and goat cheeses. Its minerality and structure make it ideal for refined dishes and elegant culinary pairings.

Technical sheet – Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2022

• Region: Chablis, Burgundy

• Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Appellation: Chablis Premier Cru AOC

• Vineyard surface: approx. 0.58 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.