En Primeur | Domaine Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin
It is quite something to be the 14th generation of your family making wines in the same town since 1620. Unsurprisingly over this 400-year period, the Droins have built up a sizeable 26-hectare estate and an enviable portfolio of appellations from both Grands and Premiers Crus within the Chablis region. Benoît joined his father at the estate in 1999 at the age of 24, and for the last decade has assumed total control.
2021 Chablis Jean-Paul Droin
£216.00 In Bond £291.34 Inc VAT-
Goedhuis, December 2022
From a selection of plots covering 9 hectares, this wine receives no barrel ageing and as such is as classical an example of Chablis as you get. Initial sensations of both lemon and lime, this is so pure in style, with infused white fruits, chalky in texture and quite magnificent clarity. Beautiful.
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Burghound, October 2022, Score: 17
This is aromatically similar to the Petit Chablis though with more citrus elements in evidence. There is again good richness to the succulent and rounded medium-weight flavors that also exude a refreshing salinity on the clean, moderately dry and sneaky long finish that is slightly firmer. Drink 2026+
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Matthew Jukes, January 2023, Score: 17
Lovely, fresh, more detailed, and crunchy than other estates’ Premier Crus. Drinking and delicious, this is a classic Droin, and it is cracking value, too.
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Jasper Morris MW, December 2022, Score: 87-89
Pale colour, with a much crisper nose than the Petit Chablis. Very classy bouquet, a typical Chablis, balanced white fruit, a bit of flesh on the palate then comes back to a crisper more mineral finish. Good length. Drink from 2024-2026.
2021 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Jean-Paul Droin
£165.00 In Bond £214.07 Inc VAT-
Goedhuis, December 2022
In nature Vaillons tends to be the prettiest and most floral of the Chablis Premiers Crus. Benoît’s cuvée has a further dimension thanks to 25% of the fruit being aged in cask. A very harmonious style, white peach and nectarine, an enticing elegance and forward in nature making this a wine which can be approached in its early days of youth.
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Burghound, October 2022, Score: 17.5
A lightly peppery, airy and cool nose freely offers up floral, white fruit and citrus nuances that exhibit just enough Chablis typicity to confirm where this is from. The plump, round and fleshy flavors possess a hint of natural sweetness that contrasts markedly with clean and bone-dry finish that offers good length but not quite the same complexity. Drink 2026+
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Matthew Jukes, January 2023, Score: 17.5
With more depth and freshness than a good couple of Grands Crus, there is decent power here with good length, too. This is a smart wine and one that will develop further over five years.
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Jasper Morris MW, December 2022, Score: 90-93
Benoît Droin lost the Beugnons and Chatains sectors of Vaillons to the frost. Pale lemon yellow. There is a stony nose, with some reduction There is, though, some flesh on the bones here, especially towards the back, indeed unexpectedly concentrated with a fine crisp finish. Drink from 2025-2030.
