LOUIS MICHEL CHABLIS PREMIER CRU BUTTEAUX VV 2022

Style: Rocks & Minerals

Today, Guillaume Michel presides over this important 22-hectare estate, which has long been the reference for tank-fermented and matured Chablis, a style that the Michel family did much to popularize in the 1980s. Intense and tensile wines are the calling card here, pure and unadorned by style and consistently high in quality. Indeed, I sometimes think that Louis Michel is the most underrated of Chablis's great domaines. Certainly, prices remain very reasonable. As usual, certain cuvées stand out¿at the premier cru level, the old vine Butteaux, the Fourchaume (from Vaulorent) and the Séchet, Montée de Tonnerre having taken a beating in recent vintages¿but the overall standard, even for the lower appellations, is regular and high. They come warmly recommended, and their 2018 collection shows plenty of promise. WILLIAM KELLEY, Wine Advocate

The 2022 Chablis Butteaux Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru comes from vines around 70 years old, only slightly older than the regular cuvée, but on different soils (white clay rather than brown with high fossil content). It is usually bottled slightly later. The nose is a little more expressive with hints of red cherries and peach skin very well defined. The palate is well-balanced with more harmony than the regular cuvée, a crisp line of acidity and touches of oyster shell on the saline finish. Great persistence here. Excellent. NEAL MARTIN

Region: Burgundy, FRANCE

Variety: Pinot Noir

ABV: 12.5%

Liquor Act 2007. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years. Lic No. LIQP770016424

*We endeavour to ensure the correct vintage is displayed, however some variations may occur in store and for delivered bottles.