Within the hallowed lineup of Domaine Vincent Dauvissat, no Premier Cru is more closely associated with the estate than La Forest. Located on the left bank of the Serein and nestled just below Montmains, this historic climat has long served as the domaine's spiritual center. Vincent Dauvissat farms nearly four hectares here, making it his largest Premier Cru holding and, in the eyes of many collectors, his most complete expression of Chablis. While Les Clos may command the Grand Cru designation, La Forest often delivers something even more compelling: a seamless combination of power, texture, and minerality that places it among the greatest white wines of Burgundy, regardless of classification.
The warm and abundant 2022 vintage brought both concentration and generosity to Chablis, but in the hands of Dauvissat, balance remains the defining theme. Fermented and raised with the patience that has become the family's hallmark, the 2022 La Forest captures the richness of the year without sacrificing the tension that makes great Chablis so irresistible. Layers of Meyer lemon, white peach, citrus oil, crushed oyster shell, and delicate white flowers unfold across a palate of extraordinary depth and quiet power. Beneath the wine's generosity lies a firm spine of limestone-driven acidity, carrying the finish with remarkable energy and persistence. There is breadth here, but no heaviness. Texture, but no excess. It is a wine that feels both expansive and perfectly composed.
Perhaps more than any other wine in the cellar, La Forest illustrates why Dauvissat occupies such rarefied territory. The family's traditional élevage in older barrels contributes texture rather than flavor, allowing the vineyard itself to speak with startling clarity. Even in a solar vintage like 2022, the wine retains its unmistakable signature of saline minerality and understated elegance. Young bottles already reveal tremendous harmony, but seasoned Burgundy lovers know that La Forest is a wine built not for immediate gratification, but for the long arc of time. Fifteen or twenty years from now, this bottle will likely reveal entirely new dimensions.
Why You'll Love It
- For many Chablis collectors, La Forest is the beating heart of Domaine Vincent Dauvissat and one of Burgundy's greatest Premier Crus.
- The generous 2022 vintage brings unusual richness and texture, yet the wine retains the precision and mineral tension that define classic Chablis.
- Traditional barrel élevage and one of the finest terroirs in the appellation combine to create a wine that regularly performs at Grand Cru level.
How to Serve It
- Serve at 50–54°F in Burgundy stems and allow at least 30 minutes of air.
- Pair with lobster, turbot with beurre blanc, scallops, Dover sole, or roasted chicken with morels and cream.
- Beautiful today with decanting, but destined to reward fifteen to twenty years in the cellar.
