Chablis 1er Cru Vaucoupin 2016

2016 saw a small harvest but a great vintage. With some devastating weather episodes, from spring frost to hail and mildew, this vintage caused a great deal of torment. However, the rare grapes that were harvested were concentrated and ripe, thanks to a hot and sunny summer. The result was particularly aromatic and powerful wines with magnificent tension.

The terroir of Vaucoupin is a favorite of Lucie Depuydt, the house winegrower. The vines are located in the commune of Chichée, and enjoy ideal sunshine conditions. The vines flourish on very unfertile and extremely pebbly soil. The roots make their way through Kimmeridgian limestone on both shallow and very steep slopes.

The wine house is fortunate to be able to vinify grapes from around 10 or so plots, each with different characteristics. Most are planted more than 50 years old, bringing perfect balance during long dry or hot periods, as was the case in 2016. The younger vines that are more sensitive to the heat bring tension and vigor.

The Vaucoupin Premier Cru 2016 is a blend of 70% old vines and 30% younger ones. It was mostly aged in stainless steel, with 20% of the cuvée aged in two-year-old oak barrels. After 15 months of ageing, they were bottled, with a limited edition of just 300 magnums produced. When it comes to especially promising vintages, magnums are ideal for enhancing a wine’s ability to age. Having a smaller area in contact with the air means that the wine evolves at a much slower rate than with a traditional bottle, and helps preserve all its aromatic potential. 

Tasting notes from the wine’s creator

It reveals a pretty golden color, and has a subtle fragrance of yellow fruit like apricot and quince, along with elegant touches of almond.

On the mouth, it is vigorous and indulgent, with aromas of citrus and white blossom. 

The tension is balanced and lingers until the finish, softened with creamy, brioche notes. 

Served as an aperitif, it is perfect with salmon tartare, shellfish, fresh goat cheese, or even farmhouse guineafowl.