Vintage Report

Chablis enjoyed the best of the weather in Burgundy during the 2008 vintage and produced some exceptional wines.

After a pretty ordinary “summer”, the most important factors were a near miraculous north wind from mid-September and the fact that the Chablisiens conventionally harvest later than their Côte d’Or cousins, allowing them to take advantage of it.

The wind concentrated the grapes without losing acidity and removed all threat of rot from the vineyard. Across the growing season, sunshine was lower than average but despite the leaden skies it was also relatively dry, important for encouraging roots to go deep into the soils and in so doing, pick up extra minerals.

Such conditions are not unusual in Northern France and the resulting crop was healthy and ripe although with fruit character that shows that these are clearly wines from a cooler year and ripened on the wind.

From our tastings in late June 2009, we have found that the 2008 wines are elegant and precise with great balance and length, combining ripe fruit with lively acidity and minerality. Acidity levels are in line with 2007 but the wines are less austere at this early stage which makes them very appealing already. The best wines will still need time to open and have the capacity to age. All in all another excellent and very classic vintage for Chablis lovers.

The Market

At the top end of the Chablis market, demand continues to be strong and great growers such as Fèvre and Droin continue to turn away more customers than they can supply. Both are fully aware of the implications of the economic downturn and have thus decided to be cautious in pricing.

The wines of Chablis still offer excellent value for money, certainly in relation to other white wines of comparable quality from Burgundy. The quality of the 2008 vintage and the fact that there are still only a handful of growers who really operate at the top level, make the wines in this offer extremely easy to strongly recommend.

Terms & Conditions

Prices - All prices are quoted In Bond (excluding Duty & VAT) and are per case of 12 bottles unless otherwise stated.

Delivery - The majority of the wines offered will not be here until February 2010. On arrival, we can either:

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“…the 2008s will give considerably more early pleasure than the 2007s but have the acidity, stuffing and balance to age" - Stephen Tanzer