Joseph Drouhin Chablis les Clos Grand Cru 2006

Les Clos is one of the seven Grand Crus on the large hill directly overlooking the town of Chablis. It is here that the vine was first planted: its name probably refers to the stone walls that surrounded the vineyard centuries ago. Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos is quite a special wine. With its hue of green and gold, its penetrating aroma and its unique combination of elegance, nerve and flintiness, it is unsurpassed. It also has an excellent potential for ageing, and after 5 or 6 years, the wine develops even greater, more complex flavours. In a good vintage, it will keep easily 15 to 20 years! Good pale read more...yellow. Soil-inflected nose offers flint, smoke, minerals, quinine and dusty stone, plus notes of white pepper and snap pea that reminded me of gruner veltliner. Sappy, classic and backward, with a distinctly tactile quality to the flavors of powdered stone and citrus peel. Much less showy today than the Vaudesir but not at all hard. This really dusts the palate. -International Wine Cellar 91-93    (hide)

Chablis Premier Cru has very attractive and intense aromas reminiscent of coriander, orange,lemon and many other intriguing flavors. Generous, round and long on the palate, it is alsofull bodied with refreshing vivacity. Serving suggestions: As an aperitif, or with shellfish such as oysters, crabmeat, lobster, or with smoked salmonand grilled fish. Also fresh goat's milk cheese.

International Wine Cellar rating: 92

The Wine Advocate rating: 91

November 2008

The Wine Advocate rating: 92

November 2008

International Wine Cellar rating: 93

Chablis is still a difficult region for the wine-maker. The climate is continental, hot in Summer and cold in Winter. Frosts are frequent. In spite of all these hardships, Robert DROUHIN is adamant to keep the yields in his vineyards as low as possible by pruning very short. At harvest time, the grapes are hand-picked and pressed at Joseph DROUHIN's own winery in Chablis. The next day, the must is brought to the cellars in Beaune and put in barrels for the alcoholic fermentation. After 8 to 9 months of ageing in oak, the wine is bottled. The wine Vaudesir is one of the seven Grand Crus of Chablis read more...and one of its largest, occupying a central position on the large hill overlooking the town of Chablis. A small vale, carved in the middle, gave its name to the vineyard: Val du Desir. As a wine, Vaudesir has a lovely, limpid, slightly green golden hue. The aromas are often reminiscent of coriander and fern, with a somewhat lemony scent. Round on the palate, it has a long, complex finish. This is a wine to keep: its ageing potential is quite good. Pale, bright yellow color. Musky aromas of lemon, lime, quinine, powdered stone and talc, with an enticing violet topnote. Rich, ripe and easygoing, with considerable early appeal and very good freshness to its peach and spice flavors. The 2006s from Chablis will be much more charming young than the 2005s, notes Philippe Drouhin. Finishes broad, long and sweet, with tangy stone fruit flavors that stimulate the salivary glands. -International Wine Cellar 90-92    (hide)

Rating: 87/100 - As reviewed by Wine & Spirits Magazine on 10/08

Rating: 88/100 - As reviewed by Wine & Spirits Magazine on 10/08