WINEMAKER’S NOTES:
Jean–Paul and son Benoît Droin can trace their family roots as vineyard owners back to 1620. Through succeeding generations they have managed to acquire a little over 26 hectares of vines in Chablis. In 1999 Benoît began plowing his vineyard to help revitalize the microbial life in the soils and at the same time he also began to prune his vines differently to decrease yields and reduce the disease pressures in this famously inclement appellation. Harvest are conducted early – just as the grapes reach ripeness so as to preserve the natural acidity in the final wines. The new cellar, built on the edge of the sleepy village of Chablis in 1999, see a mix of modern and traditional winemaking techniques where both stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels are used to make the wines. Fermentations are conducted, after a gentle pneumatic pressing, in stainless steel tanks by natural yeasts.
As one of the largest land holders in the premier cru of Vaillons, the Droin family makes one of the best bargains in all of Chablis. With it’s south – southeast exposure and gentle slope, Vaillons is considered, along with Montmains, to be one of the top premier crus west of the Yvonne. Benoît makes an elegant version of Vaillons that is floral and mineral, particularly in warmer vintages. Only about 20% of this wine is aged in neutral barrel and the remainder in tank.
ACCOLADES
90 – 2012 Chablis Vaillons – Wine Advocate
90 – 2012 Chablis Vaillons – International Wine Cellar
