Domaine Bernard Defaix - Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys 2010

Price: $85.00

Sale Price: $79.99

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Producer	Domaine Bernard Defaix
Country	France
Region	Burgundy
Subregion	Chablis
Varietal	Chardonnay
Vintage	2010
Sku	12107621
Size	750ml

 

All I’m going to say is that the last time I tasted Chablis like this it was from one of the greatest producers of that wonderfully mineral, racy, laser focused expression of Chardonnay, in one of the great vintages of the decade, 2010

That wine was a Raveneau Vaillons 2010, perhaps 3-4 years ago, enjoyed as it was just entering its prime. It was simply liquid magic, and if you want it there is only one seller online - at $2400 per bottle. Current vintages, if you can find them, are over $500. 

The 2010 Defaix Vaillons is as close as I have ever gotten to that magic experience, and you can buy it today for $75. I have to admit we approached it with some skepticism when our rep presented it to us - thirteen year old Chablis? But one look at its youthful color, and a quick whiff and a taste and we knew we were oh so wrong!

It was simply stunning, a wine at its absolute prime that burst out of the glass and onto our senses with incredible mineral focus as the main story line, matched by lovely complex aromas and flavors of lemon curd, hints of green apple, baked apple, almond, acacia, honey, and feint mushroom and sous bois notes. Incredible but subtle. None of these hit you over the head, rather they tread lightly across the senses in a delicate dance and linger on for minutes, and all you’ll want is another taste. 

Not a hint of prem-ox, still pale green/straw hue, fresh and lively, old school winemaking from a now retired grower (his sons run the estate now) and a wine that tastes like a legend for a fraction of the price. Wine Arrives this Thursday, open to taste all week afterwards or while it lasts. When we came out of our stupor our first question was “how much is there?” The answer was a surprisingly decent supply, and hence today’s offer. Cheers! Chris

Notes from the Rosenthal Website: “The vines here are from southeast facing slopes in a section of Les Lys known as “Clos du Roi” (effectively a monopole of the Defaix estate). The Defaix domaine owns 3.5 hectares of this 5 hectare 1er Cru. The resulting wine is long-lived and displays remarkable finesse and length, a classic Chablis. One often encounters the flavors and aromas of bergamot, acacia and honey in the Les Lys alongside a compelling freshness, a wine of excellent tension. The average age of the vines is 45 years. Daniel Defaix, the enthusiastic gourmand that he is, enjoys this wine particularly with scallops, lobster, line-caught bar and turbot.”