When you finally encounter a genuinely classic Chablis that explodes with typicity, it stays with you. Buy it for a blind tasting, buy it to accompany a fine dinner, buy it to enjoy poolside—it is guaranteed to perfectly fit the bill, no matter the occasion.
Domaine Gautheron is based in the village of Fleys which sits a few kilometers southeast of Chablis proper, not far from the slope containing the region’s string of Grand Cru vineyards. Although five generations came before Alain Gautheron, it was he who ramped up production at the domaine in the late 1970s. Since that time, along with the help of his son Cyril starting in the year 2000, the estate has grown to 25 primely situated hectares that span the entire range from Petit Chablis all the way up to Grand Cru Preuses. Today, Cyril is in charge of the operations.
Gautheron’s 2020 Chablis exhibits a typical pale yellow core with flecks of silver, but beyond that, it surpasses the already-high expectations of Grand Cru Chablis. Gorgeous aromas of yellow apples, pineapple core, and apricot seamlessly meld into acacia, white peach skin, lime blossom, honeysuckle, fresh cream, salted lemon peel, crushed oyster shell, and wet chalk. All these captivating notes carry over to a lush, vibrating palate filled with the Chablisienne trademark of mineral precision, piquant fruit, and seriously mouth-watering freshness. This only stands to improve over the next five years.
