Christophe et Fils Chablis 2022
The Wine
A good portion of Sebastien’s stable of Chablis 'Villages' vineyards face the Grand Cru Blanchots and sit just west on the hill home to the great 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre. The soil in this particular spot is unusually brittle Kimmeridgian marl that is friable, coarse and sharp compared to most in Chablis. A close look at the soil under a magnifying glass reveals a composition of almost pure decomposed fossilized miniature oyster shells and not much else. The numerous plots for this wine come from various altitudes and expositions from west to north on the calcium rich clay right bank of the Serein. This brings multidimensional mineral-rich characteristics with depth and more roundness and weight compared to those from other side of the river.
Consistently excellent year after year after year, the 2021 Chablis is again at it's crisp, incisive best! Very pure wine graced with good energy and grip in its bright fruit and long, elegant finish. After time in the glass, the wine’s class begins to emerge and it's saline, citrus and geological qualities build. This is flat out terrific Chablis from Sébastien Christophe. Importer Notes
The Details
Variety - Chardonnay
Country - France
Region - Chablis
Sub Region - Petit Chablis
Extra - Cork
Year - 2022
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
He conducts the alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in steel, and ages the wine in steel (with a mix of older barrels for the 1er Crus). He looks for elegance, length, purity and minerality in his wines and has extremely exacting standards with the result that the quality is sensational.
The domaine and its vineyards are in the commune of Fyé, across the river from the town of Chablis. The hills are steep here and overlook Les Clos, Blanchots and Montee de Tonnerre. I found the biggest surprise in his cellar was his Chablis Vielles Vignes made from two parcels, both circa 50 years of age; one above 1er Cru Fourchaume and another parcel above Grand Cru Les Clos; all raised in stainless steel allowing the terroir to shine through, it displays beautiful bracing acidity and vibrancy. It also has that attractive green and platinum shimmer and is particularly concentrated and suave. A terrific village, that quite frankly is easily of 1er Cru standard.
The wines of Domaine Christophe all display classic Chablis notes of shells and green apples on the nose, along with a pretty, underlying hint of white flower and lemon. It's the kind of bright nose that gives the drinker an intimation of the acidity and tension that will follow on the palate, which is indeed nervy but also generous with an appealing balance of flavours offset by a rocky, shell-y harmony. The wine finishes with the sort of mouth-coating minerality and mouth-watering citrusy acidity that makes Chablis a favourite amongst lovers of wines that truly reflect their terroir.
