Sebastien Dampt ‘Les Vaillons’ 1er Cru, Chablis 2018

This Vaillons 1er Cru shows, even in a fruit forward and generous vintage such as ‘18, what restraint and nuance can look like through the lens of the sun that shone each day of the growing season.  There is a faint smokiness to the edges of the fruit on the nose, the steely Chablis minerality is having a most pleasant restraining effect on the fruit.  Characters of ash, gun flint, green apple skin, slate and pencil shavings.  The palate shows pineapple, yellow peach, enduring length and persistence, and a lingering clove like spice that reminds me that I should drink more 1er Cru, because it’s long and it’s pure and it’s focused and it’s great.

Described as a ‘rising star’ of Chablis by Berry Bros & Rudd, Sebastien is part of a family dynasty that has been making wine in Chablis for over 150 years.  At no point is oak employed in the winery – the Dampts prefer the use of stainless steel to help preserve the minerality and steeliness that typify the wines.

95/100

$49 at Lamont’s Wine Store Cottesloe